1. People who illegally access or manipulate telephone systems, typically to make free long-distance calls or to explore the network infrastructure.
Usage: informal; slang; computing/telecommunications jargon; often used in historical context (1970s–1980s)

Examples

• In the 1970s, phreakers discovered ways to bypass telephone company security systems.
• The documentary explored the history of phreakers and their impact on early computer culture.
• Early phreakers used blue boxes to generate the tones needed to manipulate phone networks.
• Some phreakers eventually became legitimate security researchers and consultants.
• The FBI investigated phreakers who were making unauthorized long-distance calls.