Security Threats and Threat Motives to Computer Networks

Abstract

The widespread and ubiquitous use of computing technology with the computer network as its base is creating fertile ground for illegal and unauthorized access to digital systems relying on and using the evolving digital technology. Threats and motives for attacks to digital systems are on the rise, unabated by a strong but insufficient response. Hacker tools are becoming more sophisticated and powerful. The threat itself comes in many forms, including viruses, worms, distributed denial of services, electronic bombs, and derives many motives, including revenge, personal gains, hate, and joy rides, to name but a few. This chapter explores the sources and types of these threats, the hacker community groups, the different and changing threat motives, and the management of these threats. Threat awareness is also discussed.