Which type of threat actor might attempt to obtain and release confidential information or deface websites?

Hacktivists are individuals or groups that use their hacking skills to promote a political agenda or social change. Their motivations often center around raising awareness of specific issues by exposing confidential information or defacing websites to convey their message. This type of threat actor typically focuses on targets that align with their ideologies, seeking to disrupt operations and draw public attention to their causes. The act of releasing confidential data serves as a tactic to pressure organizations or governments to change their practices, whereas website defacement acts as a visual statement of protest.

In contrast, organized crime usually aims at financial gain through illegal activities, competitors might engage in corporate espionage, and insiders pose a risk to organizations primarily due to their access to sensitive information. While all these actors may pose threats to information security, the primary characteristic of hacktivists is their use of cyber techniques to challenge perceived injustices and pursue their ideological goals.