Hackers are now more intent on making money through criminal activities and virus attacks rather than just proving their disruptive credentials, an expert has said.

Threats to computer systems are constantly being modified by hackers, all with the aim of maximising their revenue through reusing similar attack codes, commented Greg Day, security analyst for anti-virus software firm McAfee.

Similar versions of basic attack codes are being re-used and shared among hackers with just enough modifications to circumnavigate existing computer defences, Mr Day said.

He added: "Threats are all about maximising revenue, which has led to heavy code re-use … it used to be about proving how smart you are, whereas today it's about making money."

Reusing codes or using adding functionality to an existing malware attack serves to increase the longevity and success of an IT threat and therefore increase the hackers' revenue potential, Mr Day added.

Most computer users - individuals and companies - are not aware of the scale of the current problems facing their security, according to David Emm, senior technology consultant for computer security solutions firm Kaspersky.


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