- Multiple reasons: This feels like the most sensible reason because any two or more of the below reasons can apply and they probably do. Those who do hacking as a living for money most likely have an ego and also do it for notoriety.
2. For Money: This one is obvious, everyone needs money and if someone has the skills can make a lot of money from their computer in just a few days by running some phishing scams and get access to others financial information. Not to say its easy but some would find it preferable to a 9-5 job
3. Revenge: This is about revenge and power. If something happens to someone and they realize that they can get back at someone online with no repercussions they probably will. We live in an age that is no longer characterized by physical altercations. Instead of someone getting bullied and them not being able to do anything about it people can now take action from the safety of their computer
4. Political: These reasons make sense because people sometimes don’t feel like they have voices online and people make groups to deal with issues that others will not. This does not mean that what these groups do is good but they usually have an altruistic perspective but also do not understand how what they do effects other people.
5. Recognition: The hacker space is a large interconnected network of people and many people want to live out their hacker fantasy by becoming the next anonymous or create a malware as infamous as the Morris worm.
6. Entertainment: I understand why people do these things however there is too much risk just to be entertained so it does not make as much sense as the other reasons on the list.
7. Bordem: This is at the bottom because I personally have difficulty understanding why someone would be so bored they would do something illegal. I know there are messed up people that have to see others be put in order for them to have fun. I do not have as much to say about this topic however I do notice a pattern that the internet is starting to reflect how the physical world used to be. Kids used to run around and do small crimes, trespassing, spray painting, other small things, and they would get a slap on the wrist and go home and they had fun being dumb kids. The internet is at that same point but with worse consequences. So hacking must be exciting enough for some and that is a good enough reason it do it.