The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency has published research into how and why some young people become involved in cybercrime.
The report, which is based on debriefs with offenders and those on the fringes of criminality, emphasizes that financial gain is not necessarily a priority for young offenders. Instead, the sense of accomplishment at completing a challenge, and proving oneself to peers in order to increase online reputations are the main motivations for those involved in cyber criminality.