1.2 Threats and risks to our information infrastructures Technical defects, human error or deliberate acts of damage or destruction are a frequent cause of system disruptions or break-downs which, in turn, may directly affect other sectors because of the network architecture of information infrastructures. This may have a snow ball effect on the economy and society as a whole. New threats Whether used in private or business environments, IT systems are always vulnerable to hacking attacks or threats posed by computer viruses and worms. A growing number of malicious software programmes and targeted attacks can be attributed to organized crime and terrorist groups. Their main motive, in contrast to that of ‘script kids’, is not to get attention but to profit financially from such attacks or harm the national economy. Primary targets of such attacks are large companies, banks or public institutions, in addition to private household computers which criminals try to penetrate to steal online banking details or spread computer viruses and spam. Page 3