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Cyberattacks and cybercriminals

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Any attempt to gain illegal access to a computer system to cause harm is considered a cyberattack. Cyberattacks can happen on any digital device—not just computers. Any device connected to a network or the internet can be attacked, whether or not that device holds valuable data worth attacking. And, cyberattacks can originate from either outside or inside an organization.

People who perform cyberattacks are known as cybercriminals. Cybercriminals can be found anywhere—including inside an organization—and can be:

  • A single person or a group of people.
  • An organization for hire.
  • A government entity.

The reasons cybercriminals attempt cyberattacks vary, but most fall into three main categories:

  • Criminal
  • Political
  • Personal

Criminally-motivated attackers want to steal something for their own gain, such as money or data.

Politically-motivated attackers seek attention and may often make their attacks known to the public. This type of cyberattack is often referred to as "hacktivism."

Personally-motivated cybercriminals often try to disrupt a company's systems for retribution. These attackers are usually current or former employees.

Cyberattacks are either active or passive. Cybercriminals who plan active attacks want to alter the targeted system by affecting the integrity, authenticity, and availability of data. Cybercriminals who plan passive attacks want to find out as much information as possible about their target in hopes of leading to a breach of privacy.