A prominent corporation has experienced a spike in unauthorized network traffic aimed at its web servers after a controversial policy decision. Which type of attacker is MOST likely responsible?

A prominent corporation has experienced a spike in unauthorized network traffic aimed at its web servers after a controversial policy decision. Which type of attacker is MOST likely responsible?

• A. Script kiddie
• B. Insider threat
• C. Hacktivist
• D. Competitor

Answer: (C)

The most likely responsible party for the spike in unauthorized network traffic aimed at the corporation's web servers, following a controversial policy decision, is a hacktivist. Hacktivists are individuals or groups that use hacking techniques to promote political agendas or social change. They typically engage in attacks to raise awareness, make a statement, or protest against specific actions or policies that they oppose. In this scenario, the link between the controversial policy decision and the increase in unauthorized traffic suggests that the intent behind the attack is likely to voice dissent or disrupt the operations of the organization in response to that decision. Hacktivists often target organizations they believe are engaging in unethical practices or policies, making them a fitting explanation for the observed activity. Other types of attackers, such as script kiddies, typically perform attacks using pre-written scripts without a nuanced understanding of the implications or motivations. Insider threats involve individuals from within the organization, which does not align with the notion of a widespread spike in network traffic affecting external web servers facing public scrutiny. Competitors may engage in unethical practices to undermine others, but their methods tend to focus on gaining an advantage rather than expressing ideological opposition. Thus, the nature of the attack points strongly toward a hacktivist motive.

The most likely responsible party for the spike in unauthorized network traffic aimed at the corporation's web servers, following a controversial policy decision, is a hacktivist. Hacktivists are individuals or groups that use hacking techniques to promote political agendas or social change. They typically engage in attacks to raise awareness, make a statement, or protest against specific actions or policies that they oppose.

In this scenario, the link between the controversial policy decision and the increase in unauthorized traffic suggests that the intent behind the attack is likely to voice dissent or disrupt the operations of the organization in response to that decision. Hacktivists often target organizations they believe are engaging in unethical practices or policies, making them a fitting explanation for the observed activity.

Other types of attackers, such as script kiddies, typically perform attacks using pre-written scripts without a nuanced understanding of the implications or motivations. Insider threats involve individuals from within the organization, which does not align with the notion of a widespread spike in network traffic affecting external web servers facing public scrutiny. Competitors may engage in unethical practices to undermine others, but their methods tend to focus on gaining an advantage rather than expressing ideological opposition. Thus, the nature of the attack points strongly toward a hacktivist motive.