Anonymous Hackers: Internet Heroes or Villains We live in the time of the World Wide Web and it brings the biggest changes ever. The effects from this powerful invention, the Internet, has made the world flat and the opportunities huge. Every big change can have an affect on people, it could be positive or negative. In early 2002, researchers evaluated the presence and role of hackers and their role in technological innovations. “A decade ago, people in the tech field were angry that hackers had been labeled the dangerous villains who threatened national security” (Nissenbaum, 2015).
This negative ssociation contrasts with the beginning days of the 1970’s when hackers “were seen as ardent if quirky programmers, capable of near-miraculous, unorthodox feats of machine manipulation” (Nissenbaum, 2015). Contemporary groups like Anonymous and other cyber-activists have got the reputations of being cowardly villain, hiding behind their masks and breaking into private Internet accounts illegally, taking information, and doing what they want with it. This misconception must be changed, and the truth about them must be told.
Many argue that Anonymous is a group of vandals, thieves, anarchists; and enemies to security, are the last true eroes of the Internet fighting for justice. The actions of Anonymous are the actions of heroes who have only continued using their access and influence to support social justice causes that reflect a promise of democracy. Josh Harkinson wrote “Cyber bullies with a Cause” shows the stand that was taken by Anonymous that clearly breaks the stereotype about what this group does and why are they doing it.
The story of Rehtaeh Persons’ rape and suicide, serve as a reminder that Anonymous took action on the side of fairness and justice when no one else would (Harkinson, 2013). When some of the members of the yber activist group Anonymous take hear of the shameful acts of sexual violence that occurred against an innocent teenager, they refuse to ignore the fact that the police have done absolutely nothing. Anonymous used cyber tactics of “vigilante- style online activism” to force officials to respond appropriately and in accordance with the law (Harkinson, 2013). Some disagreed with this method of action.
Others supported only the messengers and Anonymous should be credited for doing the job that law enforcement was unable to do; or unwilling. Organizing for justice is the spirit of democracy. Anonymous in his case, facilitated for justice to be served and a new way opened. These words below would never have been said, if Anonymous had not stood up for Retiah’s honor. “For four hours, women stood up, some clad in Fawkes masks, and shared their stories of abuse — rapes at parties, date rapes, rapes by friends and relatives in Steubenville and beyond.. it just changed everything” (Harkinson, 2013).
If people accuse Anonymous of being reckless Internet criminals, they are missing all the facts. A recent incident of an Australian hacker group called “Lulz Security” provided the difference between the ype of work Anonymous and typical hackers do. A representative of the group was proud of their irreverent actions stating they think it is hilarious to see the havoc they have caused and even funnier to watch the victims see it happening. Of course it is going to be hard to accept that Anonymous is doing work for a good cause when there are hackers such as “Lulz Security” that undermine efforts that can have a positive impact.
Anonymous must be shown as the heroes for justice that they are and the real hacker criminals exposed. Anonymous is guilty by association their association as “hackers”, and are not stealing or committing crimes for ersonal gains. Looking at the evidence of real thieves can prove this. In November 2011, six Estonians and one Russian were convicted for crimes that involved the hacking of over four million computers in one hundred countries. Their Internet scam allowed them to hijack the computers and stop any virus software from destroying the malware that the hackers infected the computers with.
This is a kind of “click hijacking,” and it was worth fourteen million dollars for this group of hackers (Berklow, 2011). Clearly, this is completely different from the types of actions that Anonymous has been the leaders of. Anonymous must be held to the same standards of law as everyone. They maintain that Anonymous would like to be seen as vigilantes. According to the study published in the Journal of International Commercial Law and Technology vigilantes have played a vital role in breaking the old ways and opening the truth and a way for justice.
They point out there are differences between activists and vigilantes. One significant one is that activists do not break the laws whereas vigilantes are people who break the law in the pursuit of justice. The connection that applies best to Anonymous though is the one that shows how evolutionaries and activists are the most similar because they both intend to use almost whatever means necessary to make life better for everyone. America is a country built by the revolutionaries, so they should more than any other country stand with the actions of Anonymous as they pursue an agenda of justice and fairness.
On the other side of the law and against Anonymous are the corporations that demand ownership rights to everything on the Internet. They argue that more intensive and harsh laws must be carried out against the groups that break the law and gain illegal access to the Internet (Goodwin, 2003). From their point of view, any criminal who can get their hands into a computer has the opportunity to hack any data in any country in the world represents more of a threat to security than the benefits their “activist” Internet protests and shut downs can bring.
The criminals take advantage of the fact that there is very little the law can do to catch the hackers. Moreover, even if they can catch them, breaking the law has different punishments in different countries leaving the world. As a result, accounting and finance firms have so much more at risk that hackers, like Anonymous if they decided to, could damage in a ajor way. However, it is not acceptable for the acts of social justice by groups such as Anonymous, to be subject to the same policing and profiling, as those who are villains without an agenda for the people.
The evidence supports Anonymous having done more good for the justice of people, then harm to the systems of security on the Internet. A review of the analysis done by journalists and scholars proves that the causes that have been chosen by Anonymous are always in the interest of mass population, not special interests. By supporting the survivors of rape in Canada and United States, the hacktivist roup stands for what is right and for punishment to be brought to the guilty.
Not only has this group chosen causes for women’s rights, but they have not stolen anything from any company or individual, so that they can be label criminal hackers and not vigilantes who believe in the people’s revolution. Shutting down the giant corporate operations that have undermined Americans rights is another way that Anonymous acted for the benefit of all the people, not just the rich and powerful. Overall, there cannot be a doubt that the past actions done by the group Anonymous should be recognized as the true heroes of Internet.