In a free society, people are allowed to travel and interact with others basically at will. Antisocial behavior is discouraged by things like social mores, the desire to fit in and be constructive, and the fear of punishment. In the Internet, computer communications are allowed to travel and interact with others basically at will. However, the factors discouraging anti- social behavior are much less effective. Near instantaneous and remote communications make trouble making easy and nearly anonymous.
Social mores vary in the world community.
Hackers may believe in what they do just as terrorists believe in their causes. Those same factors, combined with the struggles of politicians, lawmaking bodies, the courts, and law enforcement to deal with highly complex, rapidly changing, and interwoven technical, multinational, and philosophical issues make fear of getting caught or punishment questionable. The situation is unfortunate. Its another example of how uncooperative members of a free society force extra burdens of regulations and restrictions on cooperative members. The commercial world is taking over the Internet.