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The Categories Of Hackers (Grouped By Motivation and Threat)

For the most part in this report, I've talked about one particular "type"
of hacker. I've focused on them simply because they're the easiest to
study, and to understand. I have, however, broken "hackers" into several
categories for my own purpose. Below are those categories BRIEFLY outlined.
Each one of these primary groups, has subsiquent "subgroups" which get
increasingly more defined.

Group 1 - Social Motivations:
This is by FAR the most common type of hacker. I often refer to this group
as my "gang mentality" group. If these people weren't breaking into
computer systems, they'd be out on the streets trying to spray paint their
initials on the tallest buildings they could get their hands on. They hack
to try to gain peer acceptance, a feeling of self superiority, or a feeling
of control.

Group 2 - Technical Motivations:
While many hackers in Group 1 claim to be part of this group, the
technically motivated hacker is actually a pretty rare breed. These are
people who hack to help, in their minds, progress the evolution of
technology. They feel that by breaking into systems, and showing their
weaknesses, they're able to "force" the industry (or a particular
organization, such as the US Military) into fixing problems.

Group 3 - Political Motivations:
This is yet another category that people in Group 1 claim to be part of.
These are people who have strong political beliefs, or who are facing
political hardships (such as those in China). These hackers break into
systems (traditionally which are at least related to the political movement
that they're speaking out against) in order to get their opinions heard.
Breaking into these types of systems will often lead to press coverage,
which in their eyes helps to further their cause. Sorting hackers into this
group can often be difficult. It's like going back to the 60s and trying to
decide how many people became hippies to speak out against war, and how
many of them just liked the sex and drugs that came along with the
movement.

One of the subcategories of this group would be acts of digital terrorism,
committed by an individual, or small group. The digital form of bombing the
world trade center in order to protest the US's support of Israel. There's
a fine line between political activist, and terrorist.

Group 4 - Financial Motivations:
This category is reserved for individuals who hack for personal gain.
Corporate espionage, financial institutions, and even people who are
pirating (or cracking) software for profit, fit into this category. This is
the first Group that doesn't want to be known, and tries very hard to hide
what they're doing.

Group 5 - Governmental Motivations:
This category takes Group 3 to an even higher level. These would be acts
committed by one government against another. Information warfare and
governmental espionage would fit into this category.

Conclusion:
Each one of these major categories gets broken down into subcategories as I
said before. Although these categories are not perfect, and may not be the
best way of breaking down the "underground community", they have served to
organize all hacks and hackers I've come across so far.

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