Turning points in cybercrime: Exploring desistance in the hacking community?

• In Event: Hacking Beyond Boundaries: Exploring the World of Digital Disruptors

Abstract

Cybercrime research has become increasingly prominent in the field of criminology, with a particular focus on malicious hacking emerging as a central area of academic investigation. However, despite this growing interest, there remains a notable absence of systematic investigations utilizing data directly gathered from active malicious hackers. This study pioneers in shedding light on various turning points that may encourage hackers to cease their illicit activities, aiming to enrich our understanding of desistance in cybercrime.
To better understand the relationship between potential turning points and desistance from illicit hacking, we conducted the first-ever survey targeting verified and actively engaged malicious hackers. Recruitment efforts involved posting advertisements on the Zone-H homepage, the largest hacking archive in existence. A total of 238 malicious hackers completed the survey.
The findings of this study reveal unprecedented insights into potential turning points that can lead a malicious hacker to a life of conformity. We demonstrate how these turning points might vary based on different underlying hacking motivations. By integrating quantitative insights with qualitative data from interviews with a subset of respondents, we offer an in-depth view of hackers' journeys towards desistance.
This study not only maps potential pathways out of cybercrime for malicious hackers but also offers valuable guidance for advancing criminological theories and crafting more effective cybercrime prevention strategies.

Authors

• Christian Jordan Howell, University of South Florida

• Kaylee Eckelman, University of South Florida

• Mubashshira Haque Rithee, University of South Florida