Cybersecurity guide for developing countries
–
psychologically disturbed individuals;
–
activists working for an ideological or religious cause (frequently more professional than
amateur).
Figure II.4 – Two main groups of hacker
Motivation:
Motivation:
Social, Technical,
Economic,
Sociale – Ideological,
Technique –
Political, Religious,
Economique
– Idéologique –
Personal,
etc.
Politique
– Religieuse
–
Personnelle, etc.
Gain
Gains
Money
Revenus
Professionnels
Professionals
Competitors, Employees,
Concurrents, Employées,
Public servants,
Fonctionnaires, Mercenaires,
Mercenaries, Gangsters,
Gangsters, Delinquants,
Criminals, Terrorists
Terroristes
Amateurs
Amateurs
Idealists/Religious
Mystiques fanatics
Snoops
Curieux
Rebels
Rebelles
Disgruntled
employees
Employés insatisfaits
Activists
Militants
The underlying motivation of these individuals may have to do with social, technical, political,
financial or government-related factors.
Social factors are typically the need for peer recognition, often linked to membership of a gang or
group. These hackers want to demonstrate their importance in the group, by living up to the group’s
values. Their acts are analogous to those of urban graffiti taggers, and are based on a very simplistic
view of a social hierarchy. This is frequently the case among pranksters, who engage in hacking
because it gives them a feeling of superiority and control over institutions that they perceive to be
domineering in ordinary life.
Technical motivation is rare, and has the primary objective of exploring the limits of a technology,
demonstrating those limits and vulnerabilities, and understanding the strengths.
Political motivation focuses on events that will attract media interest so as to draw attention to a
serious problem, in order to build public awareness leading to its resolution. The dividing line between
this and terrorism may be a fine one, at least in terms of the theory. It is not uncommon for a sociallymotivated individual to hide behind a political goal.
Financial motivation can be a strong factor, and underlies a large number of illegal actions. The lure of
easy money draws white-collar criminals (fraudsters, embezzlers, criminal competitors, etc.) to ply
their trade on the internet.
Finally, the last group in our list involves governments. This form of hacking includes infowar and
espionage, and is perpetrated by government services working for the State.
Cybercrime
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