What is the primary motivation of hacktivists?

The primary motivation of hacktivists is rooted in political or social activism. Hacktivists leverage hacking techniques to promote a cause, raise awareness about social or political issues, or protest against entities they perceive as unethical or oppressive. Their actions are often more about making a statement or instigating change than financial profit or personal gain. This form of activism can manifest in various ways, such as website defacements, data leaks, or distributed denial-of-service attacks aimed at drawing attention to specific issues or injustices.

Financial gain typically characterizes the activities of cybercriminals rather than hacktivists. Personal vendettas can motivate some hackers, but they do not encapsulate the collective and movement-oriented essence of hacktivism. Similarly, corporate espionage involves gathering confidential information for competitive advantage and is not aligned with the altruistic motivations of hacktivism focused on societal change. Thus, political or social activism stands out as the correct and defining motivation for hacktivists.