A hacktivist is a hacker who is motivated by political or social activism. If a hacker's goal is to expose a bank's illegal fees, they align with hacktivist intent, differentiating them from other hackers with malicious or personal motives.
A hacktivist is a hacker who uses their skills for political or social activism. In the scenario where a hacker accesses a well-known bank's system with the intention to prove the bank is charging illegal fees to customers, they are indeed a hacktivist. This action is aligned with the tendency of hacktivists to expose wrongdoing or promote a political agenda, rather than for personal gain or malice.
Hacktivists can use a variety of methods to break into computer systems, such as exploiting security vulnerabilities and social engineering tactics. The example given suggests the hacker’s objective is to expose the bank's potentially illegal activities; this represents a form of cyber protest or digital activism, distinct from engaging in hacking for financial theft, personal vendettas, or to simply cause disruption.