EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) v12Information Security and Ethical Hacking OverviewHard
A cybercriminal group launches an attack against a critical national infrastructure provider, aiming to disrupt power grids across several states. Their primary motivation is to destabilize the economy and cause widespread panic, rather than financial gain. This type of threat actor is best categorized as a:
- AInsider Threat
- BCyberterrorist
- CHacktivist
- DScript Kiddie
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Cyberterrorist
Cyberterrorists use hacking to cause fear, disruption, or achieve political/ideological goals, often targeting critical infrastructure. Their motivation is typically non-financial and aims for widespread, severe impact. The scenario perfectly matches this description.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Insider threats originate from within an organization, whereas this scenario describes an external cybercriminal group.
- C. Hacktivists are motivated by political or social causes, but their primary goal is usually to draw attention, deface, or leak information, not typically to cause physical destruction or widespread economic collapse as described.
- D. Script Kiddies are less skilled, use pre-made tools, and typically seek notoriety or minor disruption, not large-scale critical infrastructure attacks.
Cyberterrorist
An individual or group that uses hacking and cyberattacks to cause severe disruption, fear, or physical harm, often targeting critical infrastructure, to achieve political, religious, or ideological goals.
- Motivated by political/ideological goals.
- Aims for widespread fear and disruption.
- Often targets critical national infrastructure.
- Non-financial primary motivation.
Memory trick: Motives make the hacker: Money, Message, Mayhem, or Malice.