But then the source code of the nation states is hacked and anyone can pull off nation state style attacks:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vault_7

The nation states still have a money/people/breaking+entering advantage, but the cyberattack code is now something everyone has to protect against. Also some companies are important enough that they have to protect against nation state attacks, like pipeline operators, chemical plant operators, utilities, and telecom companies:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/22/us/politics/chinese-hack-...

And criminals won't hestitate to use your family to blackmail you, so all the families of people with critical jobs need to be protect also, and their friends families, and...basically everybody.

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mu53 8 months ago | parent [-]

You say criminals, but I think you meant intelligence agencies

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ElevenLathe 7 months ago | parent | next [-]

A distinction without a difference.

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ajb 7 months ago | parent | next [-]

In this context, the difference is that intelligence agencies have a bigger budget: the cited hack does not show that an ordinary criminal budget would be sufficient.

	▲	ElevenLathe 7 months ago \| parent [-]
		Right, and the point is that organized crime and intelligence are so intertwined that state-level resources are also open to what some would term criminals and others would term the state. Both groups would be strictly correct while still missing the point.

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7 months ago | parent | prev | next [-]

[deleted]

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hcfman 7 months ago | parent | prev [-]

Truer words were never said.

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medo-bear 7 months ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Often street criminals and other lumpen sections of society work for intelligence agencies

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scandox 7 months ago | parent [-]

The lumpen don't get enough credit

	▲	medo-bear 7 months ago \| parent [-]
		here is an article about cia providing prostitutes to people of influence https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP90-01208R0001002...

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westmeal 7 months ago | parent | prev [-]

Pretty much the same thing.