Ranking the motives from 1 to 7 based on their perceived sense in driving cybercrime:
- For money – This motive ranks first due to its clear and direct incentive. Financial gain is a common driving force behind cybercriminal activities, as evidenced by the article detailing how cybercriminals spend their illicit earnings.
- Revenge – Revenge ranks second as a motive because emotional motives, such as seeking retribution, can drive individuals to engage in cybercrime. The article on revenge porn victims feeling let down by the law underscores the potent emotional impetus behind such actions.
- Political – The political motive ranks third as individuals may engage in cybercrime to advance political agendas or protest against perceived injustices. The article highlighting the involvement of youthful hackers in hacktivism illustrates the influence of political motivations in cyberspace.
- Entertainment – While engaging in cybercrime for entertainment may seem less common, it still holds significance. The article about the individual behind LinkedIn scraping demonstrates how some individuals may exploit technology for amusement or personal curiosity, albeit with potential legal ramifications.
- Recognition – Seeking recognition or notoriety can drive individuals to engage in cybercrime, as illustrated by the article detailing DDoS attacks during elections. While this motive is less tangible than financial gain or revenge, it still holds sway over certain individuals seeking acknowledgment for their actions.
- Boredom – Boredom ranks lower as a motive for cybercrime because it may be perceived as a less compelling reason compared to others. However, the article on cyberbullying and online grooming highlights how individuals may engage in harmful online behavior out of boredom, underscoring its potential impact.
- Multiple reasons – Ranking lowest, the motive of having multiple reasons for engaging in cybercrime may seem vague compared to more specific incentives like financial gain or revenge. While individuals may indeed have various motivations, the lack of singular focus in this category places it at the bottom of the list.