Targets of attackers

The choice of target may be made on the basis of attackers former knowledge of the target or at random for instance in search for free hard drive capacity or processor power. Home computers are often an excellent target, because they are not always as secure as for example corporates’ information systems. Attackers are attracted by the processor power, great storage capacity of hard disk and fast connection in the computer of a home user. The targets of an attacker may involve:

• General services, like file transfer or e-mail
• Active network devices, like routers
• Name servers
• Servers
• Workstations
• Home computers
• Modem pools