Microsoft® Windows® Security Resource Kit, Second Edition

What Motivates Attackers

Attackers attempt to break into computer networks for many reasons. Although all attackers present a clear and present danger to networks, the motivation of the attacker will greatly determine the actual threat posed. By understanding what might motivate potential attackers to attempt to compromise your organization’s network, you can predict what type of threats the network faces. Armed with this knowledge, once you detect an attack, you might be more able to prevent further damage or better equipped to identify who the attacker is.

Many attackers are motivated by more than one factor. Here are the reasons that attackers attempt to break into computer networks, in ascending order of the danger they present:

• Notoriety, ...