Hacker groups Anonymous and LulzSec have been on the spotlight for the last couple of months. The media has had a feast reporting each and every one of their attacks; going after companies like PayPal and Sony to the CIA and the FBI. These two groups have established themselves as “hactivists” (a clever wording of hackers and activists) and have been bringing down sites for “the lulz” or giggles. Because of their targets and their findings, they have rapidly gained a reputation as “freedom fighters”.
While it has been entertaining to watch the unfolding of events, we must ask… what have been the consequences of such ruthless acts?
The Pros –
Now, while we do not condone any type of criminal activity online or offline, society cannot overlook the fact that thanks to hackers like Anonymous and LulzSec companies and governments alike have been forced to review and reconsider their security procedures. Considering how much information they hold on every day individuals, it has been a beneficial “wake up call” for everyone involved. There are; however, more ethical and acceptable ways of achieving these results.
The Cons –
While these hackers were out and about making a name for themselves, valuable law enforcement resources were being diverted away from fighting more close-to-home issues such as malware spread and identity theft. We mentioned in a previous post that these types of attacks were on the rise due to the increasing risks of social media. In the last quarter, malware attacks of all kinds have significantly spread, PandaLabs – Panda Security’s anti-malware laboratory – saw 42 new malware strains created every minute. Their latest Q2 Report states: “Hacker groups’ illegal tactics undermine legitimacy of their protests while distracting security industry from serious threats that grow under the radar”
We must not forget that while Anonymous and LulzSec’s attacks are not directed to individuals, it is them who are most affected by these criminal acts. In a number of cases, LulzSec posted online personal information of the customers of the sites they breached, leaving them vulnerable to identity theft attacks.
Ultimately, groups like Autonomous and LulzSec will continue to exist and companies and government agencies will continue to be targeted. Individuals become pawns in a never-ending chess game and the only protection they will get is the protection they set up themselves.
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