Which type of threat actor is MOST likely responsible for the spike in unauthorized network traffic aimed at a corporation's web servers?

The most likely threat actor responsible for a spike in unauthorized network traffic aimed at a corporation's web servers is a hacktivist. Hacktivists typically target organizations to promote a political agenda or social change, often by disrupting services, defacing websites, or leaking sensitive information. Their activities can lead to significant increases in network traffic due to various techniques such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, where multiple compromised systems attack a target, overwhelming it with requests.

Hacktivists are motivated by ideological beliefs rather than financial gain, which corresponds with the nature of the spike in unauthorized traffic. They may be particularly interested in high-profile targets or corporations perceived to be engaging in unethical behavior, making their attacks not just random acts of vandalism but part of a broader campaign for social justice or corporate accountability.

Although nation-states, individual hackers, and insider threats can also cause spikes in unauthorized traffic, their motivations and methods can differ significantly. Nation-state actors typically pursue espionage or sabotage for strategic advantages, while individual hackers might aim for personal notoriety or financial gain. Insider threats tend to involve individuals within the organization engaged in malicious activities, which might not directly lead to unauthorized network traffic directed against web servers in a public