1. For financial gain: This motive comes in first since it is most closely related to the financial gains that are the driving force behind many cybercrimes. The article describing the financial expenditures of cybercriminals highlights the substantial profits that may be obtained by engaging in illegal activity, which makes it an attractive incentive for cybercrime.
  2. Revenge: This motive comes in second because it elicits strong emotional reactions and has the potential to incite people to act maliciously in revenge. The article’s focus on revenge porn victims who feel let down by the legal system emphasizes how seriously this motive affects people’s lives.
  3. Political: This motive comes in third place because it involves hackers participating in hacktivism campaigns to voice their political opinions or demonstrate opposition to particular policies or practices. The story on young hackers joining the hacktivism trend highlights how political objectives can be the driving force behind cyberattacks, compounding the problems associated with cybersecurity.
  4. Recognition: Seeking recognition or acclaim for one’s abilities or deeds in the cyberspace is the reason this motive comes in fourth. The post about a DDoS assault during an election sheds light on how hackers could look to gain notoriety for their disruptive actions.
  5. Entertainment: This motive comes in fifth place since it entails using the internet for leisurely or entertaining purposes only. The story about the guy who was responsible for the LinkedIn scrape shows how people might take advantage of security holes for fun or curiosity but not with bad intentions.
  6. Boredom: This motive comes in sixth place because it is similar to entertainment but also incorporates a feeling of ennui or purposelessness, which encourages people to engage in online grooming or cyberbullying. The article on child sexual exploitation on the internet and cyberbullying emphasizes how boredom can lead to negative online habits.
  7. Multiple reasons: This motive comes up last since it includes a range of factors that don’t all fit neatly into one category. It accepts that people may have complicated motivations for committing cybercrime, but it lacks the precision and clarity of the other justifications mentioned above.