Chapter: Terrorism or Civil Disobedience: Toward a Hacktivist Ethic

Quote:

Hacktivism is in its infancy, but, given the ubiquity and democratizing possibility of the internet, we will certainly bear witness to the movement’s growing pains and increasing maturity. One thing is sure, however. Incidents of cyberactivism are the rise and will continue to be on the rise in the near future.

What I expect to learn:

To define a hacktivist

Review:                    

First of all, let me just connect the definition of the word hack. Hack has several meanings in the technology and computer science fields. It may refer to a clever or quick fix to a computer program problem, or to a clumsy or inelegant solution to a problem. The term is also used to refer to a modification of a program or device to give the user access to features that were otherwise unavailable, such as DIY circuit bending. So therefore, a hacker is a person who breaks into computers. The subculture that has evolved around hackers is often referred to as the computer underground. Proponents claim to be motivated by artistic and political ends, but are often unconcerned about the use of criminal means to achieve them.

While other uses of the word hacker exist that are not related to computer security (computer programmer and home computer hobbyists), they are rarely used in mainstream context.

There are different types of hacker, the one that helps people and the one that harms them. Similar to pests, some does something good to your plant and some just eats them away like they haven’t eaten for years. But a hacker is not a Hacktivist. Based on good ol’ Wikipedia, 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." It is often understood as the writing of code to promote political ideology - promoting expressive politics, free speech, human rights, or information ethics. Acts of hacktivism are carried out in the belief that proper use of code will have leveraged effects similar to regular activism or civil disobedience. Fewer people can write code, but code affects more people.

Hacktivist activities span many political ideals and issues. Freenet is a prime example of translating political thought (anyone should be able to speak) into code. Hacktivismo is an offshoot of Cult of the Dead Cow; its beliefs include access to information as a basic human right. The loose network of programmers, artists and radical militants 1984 network liberty alliance is more concerned with issues of free speech, surveillance and privacy in an era of increased technological surveillance.

Hacktivism is a controversial term. Some argue it was coined to describe how electronic direct action might work toward social change by combining programming skills with critical thinking. Others use it as practically synonymous with malicious, destructive acts that undermine the security of the Internet as a technical, economic, and political platform.

Essentially, the controversy reflects two divergent philosophical strands within the hacktivist movement. One strand thinks that malicious cyber-attacks are an acceptable form of direct action. The other strand thinks that all protest should be peaceful, refraining from destruction.

What I learned:

·         Definition of a hacktivist

·         Hacktivist Ethic

·         Electronic civil disobedience

·         Hacktivism and electronic civil disobedience

·         Hacktivism

·         Cyberterrorism

·         Toward a Hacktivist ethic

o    Access to computers

o    All information should be free

o    Mistrust authority

Integrative Questions:            

1.    What is a Hacktivist?

2.    What is a Hacktivist ethic?

3.    What do you mean by electronic civil disobedience?

4.    What is Cyberterrorism?

5.    Differentiate Hacktivism from Electronic Civil Disobedience.