Ranking of Motives for Cyber Offending:
- For Money
- Recognition
- Entertainment
- Political
- Revenge
- Boredom
- Multiple Reasons
Explanation:
For Money: It’s no surprise that cash is king in the cybercrime world. Cybercriminals can rake in serious dough, and they often spend it on everything from basic needs to luxurious splurges. Dr. Mike McGuire’s research shows that these criminals can earn a ton and use their earnings to buy fancy stuff, invest, or fund more crimes. The financial lure is a huge driver because who wouldn’t want to make a quick buck?
Recognition: Many hackers are in it for the clout. Just look at Bradley Niblock, who DDoS’d a Labour candidate’s website to gain followers on Twitter. For these cybercriminals, earning respect and fame within their circles can be as thrilling as the crime itself. It’s about standing out and proving their skills to peers.
Entertainment: Some cybercriminals are just in it for the kicks. Remember the LinkedIn scraping incident? The guy behind it did it “for fun” and then turned around and sold the data. It’s all about the thrill and the challenge, which can be pretty compelling motivations for some people.
Political: Hacktivism is making a comeback, with hackers using their skills to make political statements. From exposing surveillance programs to meddling in elections, politically motivated cybercrimes can have massive impacts. It’s a way for hackers to push their agenda and create change.
Revenge: Sometimes, cybercrime is personal. Revenge porn is a brutal example, where offenders post intimate photos to humiliate and hurt their victims. This motive is all about causing pain and getting back at someone, making it a dark but real driver of cybercrime.
Boredom: When people are bored, they can get into all sorts of trouble online. The pandemic lockdowns saw a rise in cyberbullying and online grooming as kids turned to the internet for entertainment. Boredom can push people to explore illegal activities just to pass the time.
Multiple Reasons: Often, it’s not just one thing driving someone to cybercrime. Wendy Zamora’s research highlights how complex these motivations can be, mixing money, power, and personal issues. Some hackers might feel marginalized and see cybercrime as a way to assert themselves and gain some control.
Sources
Entertainment
Recognition https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/30/bradley_niblock_election_ddos/