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Hacktivism
Author: BobR    Date: 2011-06-01 10:13:42


Hacktivism:
(a portmanteau of hack and activism) is "the nonviolent use of illegal or legally ambiguous digital tools in pursuit of political ends. These tools include web site defacements, redirects, denial-of-service attacks, information theft, web site parodies, virtual sit-ins, virtual sabotage, and software development."
-- From SensAgent


At the risk of sounding like a luddite, let me reminisce about the good old days. People used to buy newspapers and read them for their news (which supported jobs like reporters and fact-checkers). People used to actually talk to each other face-to-face, or occasionally on the phone. And when a political statement needed to be made, people showed up in droves with hand-made signs and protested... and they didn't expend more energy recording it on their phones to post online than they did actually participating.

Nowadays of course everything is electronic. News is online, texting has replaced talking, and clicking a button in an email to add a signature to a petition has replaced actually going door-to-door with a clipboard. One of the worst examples of our new electronic age is the advent of "hacktivism".

The problem with hacktivism - unlike real activism - is that it rarely accomplishes anything. Sure it can be hilarious, or can embarrass a company or the government, but it doesn't lead to change. Here are some recent examples...

Recently, PBS produced a story about Bradley Manning, a hero to the hacking community (as well as certain liberal factions). Many people in these groups were unhappy with its less than reverent tone, so they hacked PBS's website:
...the group continued defacing PBS's site on Monday, posting a picture of an obese man eating a giant hamburger on its site and defacing PBS's press release. In response, PBS published its transcripts and videos from Monday's programs to ensure viewers what its proper programming was.

Did this accomplish anything constructive? It was an anonymous protest by those not willing to show their faces and be accountable. It was also lazy, since the "protesters" didn't even need to bother leaving their computer chairs.

One of the other big hacking stories is Rep Anthony Weiner's (D-NY) twitter account getting hacked. The "prank" was crudely done, and not very creative:
The website biggovernment.com, run by conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart, first reported the photo of a man's lower body in underwear being posted on Weiner's Twitter account in connection with a tweet to a Seattle woman.

The woman, identified as a 21-year-old college student, subsequently issued a statement to the New York Daily News in which she said she never had met Weiner though she followed him on Twitter and had once jokingly referred to him as her "boyfriend" in a tweet.

She indicated that the post had come from someone other than Weiner, and added that "this person had harassed me many times."

As might be expected, Andrew Breitbart has tried to run with this, to the detriment of his already shoddy reputation.

Another hacker claims to have accessed the FAUX News ticker on their building in NYC and changed it to an economic class message. FOX is claiming the hacking is a hoax. It's only a matter of time, though before it happens for real...

None of these are life-or-death, or anything serious. Most fall under the "prank" category. The reality, though, is that if it's possible to do these things just to make a political point, it's possible to do something much more serious. In anticipation of more serious hacking attacks, the US Government is re-classifying cyber attacks as acts of war:
The US government is rewriting its military rule book to make cyber-attacks a possible act of war, giving commanders the option of launching retaliatory military strikes against hackers backed by hostile foreign powers.

The Pentagon has concluded that the laws of armed conflict can be widened to embrace cyberwarfare in order to allow the US to respond with the use of force against aggressive assaults on its computer and IT infrastructure.
[...]
Pentagon officials disclosed the decision to the Wall Street Journal, saying it was designed to send a warning to any hacker threatening US security by attacking its nuclear reactors, pipelines or public networks such as mass transport systems. "If you shut down our power grid, maybe we will put a missile down one of your smokestacks," an official said.

The new strategy would adapt the existing right of self-defence contained in the UN charter by bringing cyberweapons under the definition of armed attacks.

Is this a good development? On one hand, it seems that it's necessary. On the other hand, it seems like fertile ground for suppression, as well as easy-to-fake false flag attacks to justify military action. Such is the stuff of unintended consequences. Hackers acting under the guise of freedom may actually be triggering a response that makes matters worse.
 

62 comments (Latest Comment: 06/02/2011 03:45:34 by Raine)
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Comment by wickedpam on 06/01/2011 12:40:22
Morning

Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 12:56:28
Good Morning!

Writing letters, signing you name. MAking phones calls Showing up and making your face seen and your voice heard. THAT is what effects change.

I am sorely disappointed that cyber attacks have been declared an act of war. That said, what these people are doing, be it Anonymous or 4chan or the association that Mr. House is connected with, it's dangerous. I can't find it right now, but this is a cyber war.

Nothing good will come of it. What makes me sad is that this is happening here inside our borders.

Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 13:14:34
Quote by Raine:
Good Morning!

Writing letters, signing you name. MAking phones calls Showing up and making your face seen and your voice heard. THAT is what effects change.

I am sorely disappointed that cyber attacks have been declared an act of war. That said, what these people are doing, be it Anonymous or 4chan or the association that Mr. House is connected with, it's dangerous. I can't find it right now, but this is a cyber war.

Nothing good will come of it. What makes me sad is that this is happening here inside our borders.

I found it!
Anonarchy:

Knowing they are capable of that, what will they say when they have their bank accounts hacked? Cellphone? How about the nation's power grid? How about when they decide to take down Wall Street, and financial institutions? Is that worth it in the name of revealing the "truth"?

It looks like the answer will soon be forthcoming. THIS is what Julian Assange has wraught. I wonder if the ends justify the means or vice versa.

One thing I do know: it's not going to get better anytime soon. It may not be a country attacking, but this is an attack -- you can be assured that nations will fight back. This is no longer about freedom of speech, this is designed to create insecurity among people as well as governments.

Fasten your seatbelts -- it's gonna be a bumpy ride. Welcome to the world's first cyber war, where we don't really know who is fighting it.


Comment by TriSec on 06/01/2011 13:20:09
Morning, comrades!

Dodging the raindrops this morning; a monster squall line blew up over the office not too long ago. It's quiet now.


Comment by clintster on 06/01/2011 13:23:52
Guten morgen!

OK, if I'm using Ustream to listen/watch the show, is it better to use Steph's stream or Hal's? Or should I just stick to the KTLK/Green960 route?

Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 13:38:18
Quote by clintster:
Guten morgen!

OK, if I'm using Ustream to listen/watch the show, is it better to use Steph's stream or Hal's? Or should I just stick to the KTLK/Green960 route?
Can you do both?

Welcome to summer beak Clint!


Comment by clintster on 06/01/2011 13:48:51
Quote by Raine:
Quote by clintster:
Guten morgen!

OK, if I'm using Ustream to listen/watch the show, is it better to use Steph's stream or Hal's? Or should I just stick to the KTLK/Green960 route?
Can you do both?

Welcome to summer beak Clint!


Thanks! I'm following the SMS feed, 'cause I have kinda limited bandwidth.

It's good to DO IT LIVE, though.


Comment by velveeta jones on 06/01/2011 13:58:09
morning.... grrrr, rather..... diiiirrrrr.

:yawn:

Comment by clintster on 06/01/2011 14:07:32
Oh... my... God...

I am listening to Randi's Palin caller from yesterday. She's really making a case for her candidate.

Comment by Scoopster on 06/01/2011 14:08:12
Mornin' all... HACK THE PLANET!!!

This whole mess in Michigan has really started a heated debate over on a certain gaming forum..

Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 14:30:25
Quote by velveeta jones:
morning.... grrrr, rather..... diiiirrrrr.

:yawn:

How are things Ms. Vel?

Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 14:33:46
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all... HACK THE PLANET!!!

This whole mess in Michigan has really started a heated debate over on a certain gaming forum..
Well it's good that people outside the political circles are paying attention.




Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 15:00:03
Is sarah in Pennsylvania yet? I think so-- the hellacious heat seems to be subsiding here in Virginia.


Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 15:02:30
Comment by clintster on 06/01/2011 15:06:19
Quote by Raine:
Is sarah in Pennsylvania yet? I think so-- the hellacious heat seems to be subsiding here in Virginia.


The sucking sound should be coming from the north if that's so.

Comment by wickedpam on 06/01/2011 15:09:46


Comment by wickedpam on 06/01/2011 15:38:42
Yes, that crappy vamp series written by a Morman

Comment by livingonli on 06/01/2011 15:38:44
Good morning folks I'm listening to mom off the XM machine but I have to listen to Thom live online because Sirius XM Left delays Thom to 3 PM in favor of Ed Schultz. This puts Thom and Randi up against each other on XM..

Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 15:42:20
Quote by wickedpam:
Yes, that crappy vamp series written by a Morman
I didn;t know that.

that makes it even more creepy to me. I personally am not a fan of the Vampire worship (maybe too strong a word) I do not like the idea of Vampires.




Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 15:43:38
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning folks I'm listening to mom off the XM machine but I have to listen to Thom live online because Sirius XM Left delays Thom to 3 PM in favor of Ed Schultz. This puts Thom and Randi up against each other on XM..

Thom is trying to become a national figure. HE has a TV show now as well -- I think he would do better going against Ed.

IOW: leave Randi alone.

Comment by Scoopster on 06/01/2011 15:44:56
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Yes, that crappy vamp series written by a Morman
I didn;t know that.

that makes it even more creepy to me. I personally am not a fan of the Vampire worship (maybe too strong a word) I do not like the idea of Vampires.

Wait which show is this?

Comment by wickedpam on 06/01/2011 15:45:51
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Yes, that crappy vamp series written by a Morman
I didn;t know that.

that makes it even more creepy to me. I personally am not a fan of the Vampire worship (maybe too strong a word) I do not like the idea of Vampires.





I like it to some extent - I like the good horror not the blood porn they make now a days - I've really just been sliding all over the place with my reading lately. Helps that I'm starting to do reviews for a friend Urban Fantasy News site - give me alot of material to read

Comment by clintster on 06/01/2011 15:46:11
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Yes, that crappy vamp series written by a Morman
I didn;t know that.

that makes it even more creepy to me. I personally am not a fan of the Vampire worship (maybe too strong a word) I do not like the idea of Vampires.

Wait which show is this?


Twilight :P

Comment by Scoopster on 06/01/2011 15:46:38
Quote by clintster:
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Yes, that crappy vamp series written by a Morman
I didn;t know that.

that makes it even more creepy to me. I personally am not a fan of the Vampire worship (maybe too strong a word) I do not like the idea of Vampires.

Wait which show is this?

Twilight :P

UGH BLAH...

Comment by wickedpam on 06/01/2011 15:47:05
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Yes, that crappy vamp series written by a Morman
I didn;t know that.

that makes it even more creepy to me. I personally am not a fan of the Vampire worship (maybe too strong a word) I do not like the idea of Vampires.

Wait which show is this?


Its those crappy Twilight books and movies - Stephanie Meyers - I have read all but the last one cause I know my youngest cousin would want to read them and I wanted to know what was in them before she did


Comment by Scoopster on 06/01/2011 15:47:11
Comment by wickedpam on 06/01/2011 15:51:32



Think I watched it once, then I heard about the whole Perfect Storm story and it just depressed me.

Heck I was watching the last half of Robowars or whatever it was on Disc Science last night thanks to Mondo. There was much robo carnage

Comment by livingonli on 06/01/2011 15:54:12
Quote by Raine:
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning folks I'm listening to mom off the XM machine but I have to listen to Thom live online because Sirius XM Left delays Thom to 3 PM in favor of Ed Schultz. This puts Thom and Randi up against each other on XM..

Thom is trying to become a national figure. HE has a TV show now as well -- I think he would do better going against Ed.

IOW: leave Randi alone.

It ended up this way when Randi's show was put up on the Clear-Channel programmed Talk Radio instead of the Left channel which she was on during the Air America and Nova M days. At least she's on live there. If I had the dish, I could watch Thom live on the TV through Free Speech TV which simulcasts the radio show from 1-3 and airs the show he does for RT as well.

Comment by TriSec on 06/01/2011 17:24:52
Well, pffft.



Comment by TriSec on 06/01/2011 17:50:17
And we're underway at Fenway. Day game so it won't interfere with that cup thing going on out west.



Comment by Scoopster on 06/01/2011 17:57:19
Hooooo boy! Tornado watch for the New England crew!

Comment by TriSec on 06/01/2011 18:13:31
Where's that Palin bus?

http://images.art.com/images/products/large/10119000/10119689.jpg


Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 18:19:41
Quote by Scoopster:
Hooooo boy! Tornado watch for the New England crew!

Stay safe!! .75 inch hail in the Capitol region in NY!

Comment by TriSec on 06/01/2011 18:28:23
Radar is up; I'm on it. Storms now in Western Mass, but at least an hour west of I-91 yet.



Comment by BobR on 06/01/2011 19:17:33

Jaysus...

Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 19:41:15
Thanks Shaq. I was never a big Basketball fan, but you were a reason to enjoy the game.

I'm Happy that the Celtics had the chance to have him for a year.

Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 20:33:56
I hate you comcast. My cable is out --again.

Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 21:08:58
Quote by Raine:
Thanks Shaq. I was never a big Basketball fan, but you were a reason to enjoy the game.

I'm Happy that the Celtics had the chance to have him for a year.

And as luck would have it: Springfield was hit with a tornado ...

Comment by TriSec on 06/01/2011 21:20:44
Tornado on the ground...classic doppler signature. East of Springfield, headed NE.

Locally, thunder and darkening skies.



Comment by Raine on 06/01/2011 23:14:35
Comment by Scoopster on 06/01/2011 23:31:14
Quote by TriSec:
Tornado on the ground...classic doppler signature. East of Springfield, headed NE.

Locally, thunder and darkening skies.

One of the tv stations in Springfield caught the tornado on video..

They mentioned on the local NBC affiliate here in RI that they may stick with emergency weather coverage and NOT SHOW THE BRUINS GAME...

Comment by livingonli on 06/01/2011 23:33:33
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by TriSec:
Tornado on the ground...classic doppler signature. East of Springfield, headed NE.

Locally, thunder and darkening skies.

One of the tv stations in Springfield caught the tornado on video..

They mentioned on the local NBC affiliate here in RI that they may stick with emergency weather coverage and NOT SHOW THE BRUINS GAME...

That might piss even more people unless they move it to a sub-channel. That doesn't help if you have satellite which doesn't carry the sub-channels, only cable and FiOS have the sub-channels.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 06/01/2011 23:34:56
We've got a big one heading our way within about 30 minute. In Springfield there was significant damage to buildings and "pedestrians" ?

Yes, fear not Bruins fans, Channel '7' will show the game.

Comment by Raine on 06/02/2011 00:10:28
You guys ok?

Comment by Scoopster on 06/02/2011 00:11:53
Quote by Raine:
You guys ok?

We're doing just fine over in my neck.. a little rumble of thunder in the distance (looks like a cell coming across from Long Island towards Newport) but otherwise only a few raindrops.

Comment by livingonli on 06/02/2011 00:12:10
What's weird is that it's 72 degrees here in North Massapequa while it is 87 degrees in Manhattan.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 06/02/2011 00:13:27
We're fine, just a lot of rain and thunder. They're still tracking a tornado a bit to the northwest of us and there's another line of storms hitting Springfield (about 100 miles west of us), so we'll see that in a couple of hours.

Comment by wickedpam on 06/02/2011 00:47:22
Quote by Raine:
Sarah news.


and then THAT happened.








Comment by Raine on 06/02/2011 00:48:21
I'm expecting a blog roll in the am.

ya's and I worry.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 06/02/2011 00:50:36
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Sarah news.


and then THAT happened.








So, placing a couple of signs on a bus is "vandalism"? Am I missing something here?


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