cypherpunk

n.

[from cyberpunk] Someone interested in the uses of encryption via electronic ciphers for enhancing personal privacy and guarding against tyranny by centralized, authoritarian power structures, especially government. There is an active cypherpunks mailing list at <cypherpunks-request@toad.com> coordinating work on public-key encryption freeware, privacy, and digital cash. See also tentacle.