Threat actors and motivations in Cybersecurity - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Threat actors and motivations

Identify Target

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Threat Actor Chooses Motivation

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Plan Attack Based on Motivation

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Execute Attack

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Achieve Goal or Fail

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Repeat or Change Strategy

Threat actors pick a target, choose why they attack, plan and execute, then either succeed or fail, possibly repeating.

Execution Sample

Cybersecurity

Threat Actor: Hacker
Motivation: Financial Gain
Action: Phishing Attack
Result: Steal Money

Shows a hacker motivated by money using phishing to steal funds.

Analysis Table

Step	Threat Actor	Motivation	Action	Result
1	Hacker	Financial Gain	Phishing Email Sent	Waiting for Victim
2	Hacker	Financial Gain	Victim Clicks Link	Credentials Stolen
3	Hacker	Financial Gain	Use Credentials	Money Transferred
4	Hacker	Financial Gain	Cover Tracks	Attack Hidden
5	Hacker	Financial Gain	Goal Achieved	Funds Stolen

💡 Attack ends after funds are stolen or detected.

State Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	Final
Threat Actor	None	Hacker	Hacker	Hacker	Hacker	Hacker
Motivation	None	Financial Gain	Financial Gain	Financial Gain	Financial Gain	Financial Gain
Action	None	Phishing Email Sent	Victim Clicks Link	Use Credentials	Cover Tracks	Goal Achieved
Result	None	Waiting for Victim	Credentials Stolen	Money Transferred	Attack Hidden	Funds Stolen

Key Insights - 3 Insights

Why does the threat actor choose a specific motivation before acting?

The motivation guides the type of attack planned and the target chosen, as shown in Step 1 and 2 of the execution_table.

What happens if the victim does not click the phishing link?

The attack cannot proceed to steal credentials or money, so the result stays at 'Waiting for Victim' as in Step 1.

Why does the threat actor cover their tracks after stealing money?

To avoid detection and continue attacks or keep stolen funds, shown in Step 4 where 'Cover Tracks' leads to 'Attack Hidden'.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the 'Result' after Step 2?

A Money Transferred

B Waiting for Victim

C Credentials Stolen

D Attack Hidden

💡 Hint

Check the 'Result' column in row for Step 2.

At which step does the threat actor 'Cover Tracks'?

A Step 4

B Step 5

C Step 3

D Step 2

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Action' column to find when 'Cover Tracks' happens.

If the victim never clicks the phishing link, what would the 'Result' remain as?

A Credentials Stolen

B Waiting for Victim

C Funds Stolen

D Attack Hidden

💡 Hint

Refer to Step 1 where the phishing email is sent but no victim action yet.

Concept Snapshot

Threat actors are people or groups who attack systems.
They have motivations like money, politics, or fun.
They plan attacks based on these reasons.
Actions include phishing, malware, or hacking.
Success depends on victim response and actor skill.

Full Transcript

Threat actors choose targets and motivations before attacking. Motivations guide their actions, such as financial gain leading to phishing attacks. The attack progresses step-by-step: sending phishing emails, victim interaction, stealing credentials, transferring money, and hiding tracks. If victims do not engage, the attack stops early. Covering tracks helps avoid detection. Understanding these steps helps recognize and defend against cyber threats.