Why are some forms of hacking illegal even if the hacker does not seek money?

Hacking is often illegal regardless of financial motive because it involves unauthorized access to computer networks and systems, which poses significant risks to security, privacy, and infrastructure. Even when hackers do not seek money, their actions are frequently criminalized for the following reasons:12

• Vandalism and Disruption: Some hackers break into systems to wreak havoc on the machines that form critical networks, effectively acting as vandals.1
• Notoriety and Trophies: Hackers may breach systems simply to gain status among peers, often sharing pilfered documents as "trophies" to prove their exploits.1
• Espionage and Political Objectives: Hacking is frequently used for industrial espionage or to advance political agendas, such as the activities of "hacktivists" or state-sponsored actors who target government and corporate systems.12
• Security Threats: Unauthorized entry into sensitive systems—such as the 1981 breach of NORAD—demonstrates the gravity of the threat posed by security breaches, regardless of the hacker's intent.12

Laws like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act were established to address these dangers, recognizing that unauthorized intrusion inherently undermines the integrity and safety of digital infrastructure.12