Having raised some dust about hackers, you would be right to ask questions like ‘why do hackers hack?

It is widely believed that the knowledge gained by these hackers and the self-esteem boost that originates from successful hacking could become an addiction and a way of life.

Whatever the case maybe, This article will give us a few out of the numerous insight into the reasons why hackers hack.

Just like every other thing in the world, motives are the underlying reasons or driving forces behind an individual’s actions or behaviour. They serve as the foundation for every decision making process.

Not to bore you with the icing, let’s get right into the cake.

5 Most Common Reasons for Hacking 

1. Basic bragging rights: 

Bragging rights or a desire for fame, recognition, or a sense of superiority in some cases, motivate hackers to do what they do. Some of this individuals participate in hacking competitions or challenges in order to prove their skills and gain recognition, to prove their technical prowess. At the end of the day, they feel a sense of accomplishment or power from being able to compromise a previously secure system.

2. Curiosity: 

Another common motivation for hackers!

Many hackers start off as enthusiasts who are interested in learning how systems and networks work. They may involve in hacking activities as a way to explore and experiment with new technologies and gain insight into how systems can be manipulated or controlled. This type of hackers are known as white-hat hackers or ethical hackers.They use their curious minds to understand the limitations and vulnerability of certain systems and from there, propose solutions to prevent future breaches.

3. For State Security: 

This is also known as ‘State-sponsored hacking’ and it refers to hacking conducted by or on behalf of the state government in other to gather intelligence, protect security, and carry out other official duties.

It is aimed at identifying vulnerabilities  that could be exploited in the event of a conflict, or to gain insight into the plans and capabilities of potential adversaries. The goal of this activity is to protect the nation from cyber attacks, espionage or other malicious activities from other states.

4.Revenge or personal grudges: 

Yes, that’s correct. Revenge or personal grudges can be a strong motivation for some hackers. They may hack into an individual’s or organization’s system or network as a form of retaliation for something they perceive as a wrong or injustice done to them. This can include anything from a perceived lack of justice in a legal case or dispute. They may also use hacking as a way to seek revenge against a former employer or business partner.

5.Theft or financial gain: 

No surprises here, a lot of hackers are simply motivated by money, most ‘black hat’ hackers have malicious intent and engage in illegal activities. They steal personal information, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data. These stolen data can be used for financial fraud or sold in ‘Underground market places”

Additionally, hackers can also infiltrate networks or systems and install malicious software that allows them to mine cryptocurrency or commit click fraud.

In all the cases above, the end goal Is to make profit either directly stealing money or by gathering access to valuable data or resources that can be sold or used for other illegal activities.

I would leave this part of the story to be told by those who have experienced it firsthand. You can share in the comment section.

However, in the next article I would share the common mistakes people make that makes them vulnerable to hacking. Till then stay open minded but stay CyberSafe

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