Hacking Now (2020s) 🖥️
1. Motivations:
Financial gain has become a primary motivator for hackers, often working as part of organized crime syndicates. State-sponsored hacking for espionage and influence has also become more prevalent, as has the theft of intellectual property.
2. Main Targets:
While governments and large corporations remain primary targets, small and medium-sized businesses, critical infrastructures, and individuals are also frequently targeted due to the proliferation of valuable data and sometimes less stringent security measures.
3. Complexity and Tools:
Cybersecurity tools, both offensive and defensive, have become significantly more sophisticated. Script kiddies (individuals using pre-made hacking tools without understanding the underlying technology) can now cause substantial damage with little skill. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) represent highly sophisticated, state-sponsored groups or individuals.
4. Types of Hackers:
The distinction between different types of hackers remains, but the commercialization and professionalization of hacking have grown. Cyber mercenaries and companies offer hacking-as-a-service.
5. Legal Framework and Awareness:
Laws regarding cybersecurity and hacking are now much more established, and there is greater public and corporate awareness of cyber threats. Regulatory requirements for data protection (like GDPR) have been enacted in various jurisdictions.
6. Hacktivism:
Hacktivism continues but is overshadowed by the rampant growth of cybercrime for profit and inter-nation cyber warfare.
