Nathan Guman
CYSE 201S Cyber Security and Social Science
Week 5 Journal Entry
Review the articles linked with each individual motive in the presentation page or Slide #3. 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.
• Entertainment www.9to5mac.com/2021/07/19/man-behind-linkedin-scraping/
• Political https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/new-generation-of-angry-youthful-hackers-join-the-hacktivism-wave-adding-to-cyber-security-woes/articleshow/81707844.cms
• Revenge https://newsfromwales.co.uk/news/revenge-porn-victims-in-wales-often-feel-let-down-by-the-law-as-cybercrime-slips-through-the-net/
• Boredom https://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/2021-05-31-cyberbullying-and-online-sexual-grooming-of-children-on-the-increase/
• Recognition https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/30/bradley_niblock_election_ddos/
• For money https://threatresearch.ext.hp.com/sex-drugs-and-toilet-rolls-how-cybercriminals-spend-their-money-infographic/
• Multiple reasons https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/what-drives-hackers-to-a-life-
of/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_c1d89a4695edbd23f2bceb54d70f35ce5e536e86-1626721164-0-
gqNtZGzNAfijcnBszQi6
- Multiple reasons
- For Money
- Political
- Entertainment
- Revenge
- Recognition
- Boredom
I ranked multiple reasons number one because no one does anything for one reason alone. I think the article summarized it well when it said “What’s not to like? Money, popularity, and a quiet ‘screw you’ to the man (Zurkus)”. Cybercrime allows a person who would not normally consider criminal activity to perceive a reduced risk to themselves and reduced harm to their would-be victims and decide to attempt a criminal life.
At number two and three (really tied in my mind) we have the two most common cause of conflict in history. Money and power. Financial gain has been a motivation for crime since time immemorial. Ideological and political differences have caused wars. In every period of human history, humanity has found new and creative ways to make money and power off new technology. The cyberworld is no exception.
At number four is entertainment. The internet and most of the services found on the internet are focused on entertainment in some way or another and criminal activity can be fun for criminals. Next is revenge. The internets’ ability to make one feel anonymous while attacking the people who hurt you makes sense to me. The temporary emotional release can be tempting for some people.
At number six is recognition. The idea of internet fame for cybercriminals is an odd one. The robin hood persona I can understand, but basing your identity and value off the number of likes or reposts seems sad. People crave attention and affection from other people, but the online numbers are not the same thing. Nothing beats the connection of real people, in the real world.
Lastly, at number 7 is boredom. It’s a big world out there with plenty to explore and discover. Find other things to do.
References:
Zurkus, Kacy. “What Drives Hackers to a Life of Cybercrime?” Infosecurity Magazine, 15 Aug. 2018, www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/what-drives-hackers-to-a-life-of/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_c1d89a4695edbd23f2bceb54d70f35ce5e536e86-1626721164-0-gqNtZGzNAfijcnBszQi6. Accessed 30 Sept. 2023.