Which of the following best describes hacking?

The correct description of hacking is breaking into systems to bypass security. Hacking refers to the act of exploiting weaknesses in a computer system or network in order to gain unauthorized access to data, systems, or networks. This often involves using technical skills and knowledge to overcome security measures put in place to protect these systems.

While the act of hacking can sometimes lead to positive outcomes, such as identifying and fixing vulnerabilities, the primary definition is centered around the unauthorized access aspect. The term is commonly associated with individuals who may have malicious intents, such as stealing information or disrupting services.

The other options describe activities that do not align with the fundamental definition of hacking: creating software to enhance system performance focuses on improving systems rather than unauthorized access, developing applications for educational purposes relates more to legitimate software creation in an educational context, and finding vulnerabilities for security improvement typically represents ethical hacking, which is done with consent to enhance security rather than bypass it.