Review the articles linked with each individual motive in the presentation page or Slide #4.  Rank the motives from 1 to 7 as the motives that you think make the most sense (being 1) to the least sense (being 7).  Explain why you rank each motive the way you rank it.

1. Multiple Reasons – I believe motivations to commit crimes are often multifaceted. A single motivation may be enough to convince someone to commit cybercrimes, however, a combination of motives would be much more persuasive to someone considering committing a cybercrime.
2. Money – Money an extremely common motive that’s seen across a plethora of crimes, but the cyber realm makes this motive increasingly attractive. The immediate currency gained through these crimes and the various mediums criminals can use to spend the money they’ve gained unmonitored makes this one of the most plausible theories.
3. Political – Extreme political stances evoke strong emotional responses, especially when morality is challenged. Criminal organizations often have a political foundation associated with them, and these ideologies fuel them to commit various acts of crime, varying in severity. This concept of politics fueling emotional responses can also apply to cybercriminals. Political motivations may also encompass other motivations, such as revenge or recognition.
4. Revenge – Similar to previous motives, revenge is a common motive observed in criminology. I believe this motivation is just as valid for cybercrimes. However, revenge is ranked low due to the idea that there needs to be a perceived relationship between the victim and offender for this motivation to make more sense. Most cybercrime offenses I’m familiar with tend to choose their victims based on vulnerability. This doesn’t apply to the majority of cybercrime cases.
5. Entertainment – This motive doesn’t seem very persuasive in relation to committing cybercrime. I’m sure some cybercriminals cause harm simply for the joy they get by doing it, but I believe that represents a very small group of them.
6. Recognition – Criminals tend to minimize their chances of getting caught, and even considering cyber criminals, such as Anonymous who have earned a large following for committing acts of cybercrime publicly, most cybercriminals do not wish to draw attention to themselves purely for self-centeredness.
7. Boredom – Boredom makes the least sense, and in my opinion shouldn’t be recognized as a possible motive for committing cybercrime. For a cybercriminal to willingly carry out a crime, fully aware that they may be prosecuted, without any explanation for their actions other than they were bored makes the least sense out of any of the motives discussed.