I agree. The vast majority of "hacking" is more or less random, not targeted acts of retribution. The ones that are targeted are big name forums that will get the hacker exposure for bringing down a popular site- it is almost never because someone was upset with the admin of a site.

In some ways I agree with you both when referring to what is generally termed script kiddies.

There are several levels of "hacking" and "hackers" if I may use those as generic terms.

While the "script kiddies may do this for the street cred as has been pointed out, I feel that the same could not be said for those 'hackers" who operate on a much higher technical level.

Some of the ex members of certain government groups who began to offer their services in the market place, after the end of the cold war, are literally "Guns for hire" and have been known to deface and attack sites that had offended some people.

In some ways even though it could not technically be called hacking, the DDOS attacks on several sites because some one is upset with either their policies or the direction that an owner or admin is taking it
shows that action can and has been taken against sites for some form of "payback"

While it could be argued that such groups as "Team poison" and " Anonymous" may indeed go after some large organizations, they are a lot more advanced in their abilities than the street creed script kiddies and it could be argued that they are going after an admin or his policies rather than just going after street cred.

There are many "attacks" done on sites for many reasons. I perhaps did not make myself clear. I was not referring to basic "script kiddies" but those who have a lot more ability.

You specifically said "defacing" in your earlier post, asserting it had to have "a reason." It does not. Moving the goalposts now really doesn't help either - since defacing, botnet administering and DDoS attacks are also strictly script kiddie central. None of these takes any well refined or advanced skills to accomplish.

You're saying people hire EVOL HAX0RS to attack sites they're mad at, like any of these Hax0rs actually hang their shingle out and work for chump change. It just doesn't make any sense.

Yes people do hire "hackers" to attack sites. I never said anything about "chump change:" As you put it.
( I am not really sure what this means, it may be an Americanism I am unfamiliar with? I take it to mean small change but I may be wrong) I am not American.
In fact some of the scammers for example, who hire techs or hackers to launch the attacks on sites have available a lot of money.

When they are raking in millions of dollars weekly, a few thousand dollars to pay for the services of some hackers is not a lot of money to them if it protects their income.
Hence the quite large numbers of DDOS attacks on some anti-fraud sites a while back.

Your reference to hanging out a shingle is obviously facetious. however I am sure that anyone who is determined, could hire some hackers to do this type of work.

Many scammers and or people who are using the internet fraudulently, would have a high chance of knowing others who could assist them if they wanted to attack a site. or even belong to a gang or gangs who derive their income from internet fraud. And could already have several contacts who do phishing or hacking regularly.


Yes you are correct I did say the above. even if a site was defaced to enable a script kiddy to gain some street cred then that is also a reason. So my statement seems to be correct.

I have no wish to argue with you and disturb the harmony of this forum and I would appreciate you also bearing this in mind. If I am wrong then I can accept some one pointing this out, but I think you would agree that sarcastic comments are not in the best interest of anyone. Thanks . AL.

Hax0rs pretty much stay hard to find, for very good reason. And they don't work cheap. The likelihood of one being hired to do something as simple as deface a forum is highly improbable.

The idea you expressed is that most forum defacing occurs due to disgruntled members. My point is, that's not accurate. Most forum board defacing occurs because some script kiddie found one with a exploit he is familiar with.

And that's all.

Well however you slice or dice it they sure screwed up the place.