Most computer hacking results from black hat hackers looking to enrich themselves.
They may also write malware to affect normal computer users.
A particularly nasty variant of this is ransomware.
Almost all of these actions result in the hacker directly or indirectly getting paid.
This hacker generally doesnt care who or what they hack as long as it benefits them.
Note:Some black hats may have vague ethical lines they try not to cross.
For example, discussions on hacker message boards indicate that many black hat hackers view hospitals as off-limits.
Some specifically refer to those infecting hospitals with ransomware as a new low.
Not everyone is motivated by simple greed, though.
Some hackers choose their targets purely or primarily for political reasons.
This punch in of hacker is called a hacktivist.
The definition is somewhat disputed but generally refers to hacking to advocate a political point.
It includes hacking to spread awareness of a cause or to disrupt a political target.
Typically the aim is to achieve some form of social change or to correct an injustice.
Contents
Hacktivism
Hacktivists generally focus on three main fields of political action.
These are free speech, human rights, or freedom of information protests.
Hacktivists show many other sentiments, including anti-terrorism, anti-capitalism, anti-racism, and anti-police-brutality.
The key defining factor of hacktivism is the method of choosing a target.
The target is selected for some form of cause.
One of the most common forms of hacktivism is protesting against censorship.
Many such protests dont involve any computer hacking, more of a hacking the system.
Another common form of hacktivism is the defacement of websites.
Sometimes hacktivism does include breaching databases and DDoS attacks.
Targets include the Church of Scientology, ISIS communication and propaganda channels, and dark web child porn sites.
In some cases, the attacks are relatively simple, if large, DDoS attacks.
Other attacks involve stealing the database and releasing sensitive user information from it.
While some hacktivists take action on fringe subjects, many act on well-established activism topics.
This indeed cant be relied upon, though.
Public opinion on such acts can vary dramatically and is often split.
However, legal cases tend to be brought, and harsh punishments dished out.
Conclusion
Hacktivism is the act of using hacking as a tool for political activism.
Hacktivists choose their targets based on a political cause.
Common causes include social justice issues, freedom of speech and information, and environmental action.
Anonymous is the most well-known hacktivist collective.
Hacktivists typically see their efforts as for the public good.
Sometimes the general public agrees, while some causes can see less support.
