Article Review 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10\/2\/2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Review of Exploring Cybercriminal Activities, Behaviors and Profiles<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Introduction<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exploring Cybercriminal Activities, Behaviors and Profiles<\/em>, by Maria Bada and Jason R.C. Nurse aims to answer the question as to why cybercrimes are committed by examining multiple case studies through the lens of psychology and human behavior. This is closely tied to the scope of the class as psychology and human behavior both can be categorized under the umbrella of social sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research and Analysis<\/p>\n\n\n\n The primary focus of this article are five case studies of different cybercrimes and analyzing the personality traits of the cybercriminals behind them. Case 1 covers the first computer worm ever developed in 1988, which accidentally infected and caused crashes in thousands of computers. The paper notes that due to the fact that the developer never intended to inflict harm, ther was notrue motive behind the cybercrime. Case 2 on the other hand, covers an intelligent and highly narcissistic Australian hacker who launched a series of malicious attacks that leaked classified information, purely to satiate his ego. Case 3 surrounds the actions of a hacktivist who committed cybercrimes in response to a lack of action regarding a reported rape. The hacker in case 3 was notablly antisocial and bullied in school and later dropped out because of it, which was a likely motivator for his later actions. Case 4 involves another hactavist who stole data from governmental organizations like the FBI, and cites neurological disorders like depression and Asperger\u2019s syndrome as traits that are important to the case. Case 5 focuses on a contractor who targeted the US government, the paper again cites Aspergers\u2019s as an explanation for his personality and actions. In each case, the paper cites psychological theories and models that align with aspects of the cybercriminal\u2019s life and potential motivation for example in case 3, the paper cites the Five Factor Model, HEXACO Model as well as leaning into the Psychodynamic Theory. (Bada, Nurse, 2023)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conclusion<\/p>\n\n\n\n The case studies analized in the paper are a prime example of how the content of this class is applicable to situations in real world. In week five we studied the individual motives behind cybercrime, and while the first case study in the paper was an accidental crime, and therefore did not have a true motive, case 2 is a clear example of recognition as a motive, as the prosecution attributed it to \u201csimply [arrogance] and a desire to show off his computer skills.\u201d(Bada, Nurse, 2023, p.5) In addition cases like case 4 show how the psychological theories apply to cybercriminals, as the paper states that the cybercriminal in case 3 likely \u201cfound a sense of power through hacking, something he may have not had as a child when he himself was the victim,\u201d which is in line with the psychodynamic theory that we covered in class. By reading this paper, I was able to obtain a better grasp on the importance and applicability of the content of this course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n