Hackers with Destruction in Mind

Apparently, there is some joy to destruction. It is purposive. And it is malicious. The assumption has been that hackers are motivated by financial incentives. A recent study shows that simply causing havoc remains the end goal of some hackers:

“A study of 57 Web site hacks from last year showed that 24 percent were aimed at defacing a site rather than financial gain.

The figures from the latest Web Hacking Incidents Database Annual Report suggest that stealing money and data is not always the overriding motivation for hackers, although it has been a rising trend in recent years.”

link: Study: Hackers Still Enjoy Vandalizing Web Sites

There must be such anger and malevolence to derive enjoyment from destroying. It is chilling to think that hackers with such skills may want (and do), for whatever reasons, to focus on individual computers. It is a stark reminder to update the security definitions, install all the available patches and recognize that there are some people who will take glee in turning our computer life into a chaotic hell.

Catherine Forsythe

*** Chris Pirillo is offering a discount on an excellent security program at the moment.