
Blackmail – Cybercriminals might use information they find while hacking or using the threat of hacking into someone else’s computer to extort or blackmail an individual into doing things such as giving the hacker money, sending or publishing compromising or sexually explicit images ( sextortion) or in some cases, breaching the law.They may take someone’s personal data and share it with the purpose of instilling embarrassment and/or fear in a victim. Revenge – Someone might hack into a computer to exact revenge.Once they gain access to this information, they can use it to impersonate an individual or distribute their details online in the form of revenge porn or doxing. Personal data – Someone may try to gain remote access to a computer to steal logins to social media accounts, bank details or personal photos.Some of the most common reasons for hacking are: Why do people hack?Ī device may get hacked for a number of reasons affecting an individual’s use of their computer or phone where their data can get compromised and used by cybercriminals.

Cybercriminals use hacking as a tool to extort, exploit and/or gain access to personal data as well as corporate information and even government secrets.Īlthough steps can be taken to avoid falling victim to hacking, nothing is 100% effective and anyone can fall victim to hacking attacks affecting individual users right through to global companies, corporations and governments. They do it by finding and exploiting a ‘back-door’ or vulnerability in a device or system, bypassing the normal security procedures such as passwords, security pins and fingerprint recognition access points. Hacking is when someone remotely gains unauthorized access to another person or organization’s computer system.
