Why do hackers go through the trouble of creating computer viruses? There are multiple reasons for someone to create a computer virus. Several reasons are to:
To steal information Create a cash source Take over your computer and use it for specific tasks To cripple a computer or network To prove themselves, it can be done. To exact revenge or to put you down
To steal information
What kind of information do hackers steal?
Hackers will target your sensitive information. Common things targeted are passwords, credit cards, personal information or browsing habits. Hackers use this information to mess with your life. They usually will target your social networking. They may also collect information on your browsing habits to make money.
To make money
Hackers also aim to make money using their hobby. There are multiple ways they do this. They collect information on your habits and then throw advertisements at you based on your habits. This is called ad-ware. This type of money generation can be annoying to the victims because of the excess number of pop-ups you will get on your computer, even when not online.
Another way hackers make money is by stealing your credit card or bank information. They then use your information to purchase things or send themselves money.
The last way that hackers make money is by using an “Anti-Virus” program. These people use this method to trick users into thinking there are viruses on their computer. The program will then spam the victim trying to force them to upgrade the malicious anti-virus.
To Take over your computer
Hackers will create virus programs in order to take control of your computer. In this way, they can enslave your computer to do their bidding. They can use this method to attack servers. Each computer sends out a little bit of information to a server. By using an army of computers, they can cause the server to crash. Other uses are for extortion. Hijacked computers can also be used to do malicious tasks while the creator remains hidden, leaving all the blame for the hijacked computers.
To prove themselves
One large example of this is a virus created in August 2003 named MS.Blaster (aka Lovesan). This computer infected many computers. The virus would force the computer to restart after 60 seconds and had two hidden messages in its coding.
One was “I just want to say LOVE YOU SAN!!” and the other was “Billy Gates why do you make this possible? Stop making money and fix your software!!”
You could say the reason for this virus is to show how easy it is to exploit windows.
To Exact revenge
The reasons for revenge vary. However, it is still bad when a hacker is directly aiming for you. Based on the randomness of human nature, there can be no actual reason for someone to exact revenge on you.
To wreck a computer or network
This type of attack is rare to find nowadays. Reason is if a computer or network is destroyed, how will the virus spread. This type of attack is still around but it might be used for more vengeful purposes.
A recent example of this is the attack on the PlayStation 3 network. A hacker or group of hackers attacked the PlayStation 3 network, causing it to crash. Shortly after fixing the crashed servers, the hacker or hackers attacked once more.