What is the primary goal of hacking?

The primary goal of hacking, particularly from a malicious standpoint, is often to access and steal sensitive information, which includes passwords. This is typically done to gain unauthorized access to systems or accounts, thereby compromising security and leading to potential financial or data loss. Successful hackers exploit vulnerabilities in systems to obtain these credentials, which they can then use for various malicious purposes, such as identity theft, unauthorized access to confidential information, or compromising organizational systems.

While it’s true that some forms of hacking can have a positive impact, such as ethical hacking or penetration testing aimed at strengthening system security, the question here focuses on the underlying motivation that many malicious hackers have, which is to gain unauthorized access for personal gain or other illicit purposes. Therefore, accessing and stealing passwords aligns with the broader malicious approach observed in hacking efforts.