For people who are not skilled with computers, it seems that the hackers and the crackers are commonly being perceived as hideous people with eminent skills. In that sense it seems that people not skilled with computers use the terms “hacker” and “cracker” as synonyms.

共通しているように感じて I think you have to cut the segment here and translate it with "commonly being perceived" and then translate 同じように..... with use...as synonyms.

I am a Quebecer. I am not Japanese but I still think my translation is right. Hopefully a Japanese person will be able to confirm my translation here.

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Note added at 1 hr (2013-02-28 21:54:22 GMT)
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For people who are not skilled with computers, it seems that there are many cases in which hackers and crackers are commonly being perceived as hideous people with excellent skills. In that sense, it seems that there are many cases in which people not skilled with computers use the terms "hacker" and "cracker" as synonyms.

This one might be better as it includes "多い" as well

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Note added at 1 hr (2013-02-28 22:16:04 GMT)
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For people who are not skilled with computers, it seems that there are many cases in which hackers and crackers are commonly being perceived a bit as bad and scary people with excellent skills. In that sense, it seems that there are many cases in which people not skilled with computers use the terms "hacker" and "cracker" as synonyms.

This one might be better as it includes "少々" as well.


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Note added at 1 hr (2013-02-28 22:25:26 GMT)
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To summarize, I think the key here is to cut the segment into 2 segments:という点で共通しているように感じて and 同じように使われている. I don't undertand why感じて is not in the passive mode though.

Alright, I hope my post could help you out.
Thank you.
Benoit Giroux.