CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)Threats, Vulnerabilities, and MitigationsEasy
A group defaces a government agency's website and replaces the homepage with a political manifesto protesting a new law. No data is stolen, and the group publicly claims responsibility on social media. Which type of threat actor is most likely responsible?
- ANation-state actor
- BOrganized crime group
- CHacktivist
- DInsider threat
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Hacktivist
Hacktivists are motivated by political or social causes and often deface websites or leak information to draw attention to a cause, then publicly claim credit. Organized crime seeks financial gain, nation-states seek strategic advantage covertly, and insiders already have authorized access.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong: nation-states typically avoid public claims to preserve deniability.
- B. Wrong: financially motivated, not ideologically driven.
- D. Wrong: insiders act from within, not through public website defacement.
Hacktivist
A threat actor who attacks systems to promote a political, social, or ideological cause rather than for financial gain.
- Often defaces websites or leaks data to embarrass targets
- Publicly claims responsibility to gain attention
- Motivation is ideology, not profit
Memory trick: Hacktivists shout their cause, not their bank account.