Journal Entry #5
After going through the motives for cyber offending, here’s how I would rank them from strongest to weakest.
1. Money – This one makes the most sense because financial gain is a huge driver behind a lot of cybercrime, from ransomware to online fraud.
2. Recognition – Many hackers want to prove themselves or get respect from peers, so recognition feels like a big factor.
3. Political – Hacktivism and politically motivated attacks are very real today, and they can cause serious damage.
4. Revenge – Personal grudges or payback can push someone toward cybercrime, especially when emotions run high.
5. Curiosity – Some people just want to see what they’re capable of, and stories about young hackers breaking into big systems prove this.
6. Entertainment – Doing it for fun or the thrill happens, but it seems less powerful than money or politics.
7. Multiple reasons – A lot of offenders probably overlap motives, but I see this more as a mix rather than a clear reason.
8. Boredom – This feels like the weakest motive. While some might act out of boredom, it doesn’t explain the bigger, more serious crimes.
I put money first because it lines up with what we see most often in real cases. Recognition and politics follow because both have a big impact on people and systems. Boredom landed last because it feels too minor compared to the other motives.