What does it mean to actually "hack" a network?

Disclaimer: I actually posted this on r/compsci but sadly got no answers under the assumption that I was planning on entering the ahem illegal side of things. So just to clarify: a) I am asking the below questions in order to conduct research for a school paper b) I am planning on buying a new router/ WiFi adapter and making my own network to “hack”

Moving on…

Hi guys, I’m quite new to this whole field, and so I’m sorry if I sound stupid, but I was wondering if (1) “hacking a network” meant the same thing as “cracking the network security key(NSK) for a wifi network”? (2) If I’m able to gain a NSK of a wifi network, does that mean that network is unsecure? Also outside of this question, I was wondering (3) if using dictionary list attacks/ brute force attacks were the only ways of accessing a NSK? I’ve heard of deauthentification attacks and handshake captures, but I’m not too sure as to how they work? id Also whilst listening to a debate I realise I myself had no knowledge of (4) whether being connected to the same wifi network as another user meant that, that other user would be able to hack you, your connected device ans your information? ^ I was leaning towards no because if it were that easy, free cafe wifi networks wouldn’t be a thing?

Anyway sorry for the long ramble but I hope any of you could help me out!

thanks ~

submitted by /u/holygodfather
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April 22, 2023
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