Hacking a cybersecurity system can cause real chaos. Whatever technique the attackers use, once they gain access to your data or devices, they can:
Steal your money and open credit cards and bank accounts in your name.
Ruin your credit score.
Request personal identification numbers (pins) for a new account or additional credit cards.
Make purchases on your behalf.
Add your name or alias as an authorized user to simplify the use of your credit data.
Get a cash loan.
Use your social security number.
Sell your information to others who may use it for malicious purposes.
Delete or damage important files on your computer.
Obtain confidential personal information and distribute it or threaten its public disclosure.
What is the purpose of hacking?
Who are hackers and for what purpose do they commit hacking? The motives for hacking may be different. Below are the most common of them.
Finance
The main motive is often financial gain. Attackers can earn money by stealing passwords, gaining access to bank information or credit card data, stealing data for ransom demands or selling them to other attackers on the darknet.
Corporate espionage
Sometimes the goal of intruders is to steal trade secrets from competing companies. Corporate espionage is hacking in order to gain access to classified data or intellectual property in order to achieve competitive advantages.
Political espionage
States may use the services of intruders for political purposes, such as stealing classified data, interfering in elections, accessing government or military documents, or attempting to cause political unrest.
Revenge
Sometimes attackers are driven by anger – the desire to take revenge on people or companies that, in their opinion, have caused them any harm.
Hacktivism
Hacking can be a form of civil disobedience. Some hackers use their skills to promote a certain political program or social movement.
Confession
One of the motives of hackers may be the struggle for recognition and satisfaction from achieving goals, that is, from “hacking the system”. Hackers can compete by challenging each other and getting recognition for their achievements, and social networks allow them to brag about their successes.
Strengthening the security system
Not all hacking cases are malicious. There is a type of hacking that helps to improve the protection of systems. For example, penetration testing is conducted to check for vulnerabilities in order to increase security for all users. This type of hacking is considered ethical.