Cyberterrorism

Computer crimes -> ,
hacking

Defined broadly, the term "computer
crime" could reasonably include a wide variety of criminal offenses,
activities, or issues. The potential scope is even larger when using the
frequent companion or substitute term "computer-related crime." Given
the pervasiveness of computers in everyday life, even in the lives of those who
have never operated a computer, there is almost always some nontrivial nexus
between crime and computers.

By
the FBI's definition, cyberterrorism is well beyond the scope of this paper.
With increasing frequency this term is being used by the mass media. Absent any
evidence of activity, we'll leave it in the "eye of the beholder" to
determine whether cyberterrorism is currently being deterred, is a phantom
menace…or somewhere in
between.

A key distinction between electronic civil
disobedience and politicized hacking is anonymity. The motive for remaining
secret is simple: the majority of politically motivated hacks are clearly
illegal. Most institutions recognize that breaking into an opponent's computer
and adding, changing or deleting (HTML) code, even if it is juvenile graffiti,
violates some other’s rights. Attitudes and opinions begin to diverge markedly
around this point however. One person’s activist is another’s terrorist.

"A lot of groups are claiming that
they're hacking into sites for a higher moral purpose, but they're hiding
beyond anonymity or pseudonymity. Taking responsibility is not something we see
happening."

At the heart of this discussion is the
question of motive. Opinions differ just as much within the hacker community as
outside over the efficacy of certain actions. The spate of (zombie) DDoS
attacks against prominent e-commerce sites that occurred in February 2000 sparked
a debate between two prominent hacker collectives. The Electrohippies
Collective claims the Internet as a public space liable to be used by groups
and individuals as a means of protest. As activists, they admit no practical
difference between how cyberspace and the street are used by society.

Recent actions on the Internet against
e-commerce sites represent a fundamental disagreement about the purposes of the
Internet, and the increasing emphasis on the use of the ‘Net as a vehicle for
profitable trade rather than of knowledge and discussion.

The cDc, says, the targeted sites were
selected for their name recognition and prestige value, not for their
commercial attributes or activities.

You may make yourself feel good and get a
lot of attention, but when you crack a Web site, you are violating another
person's rights. …what does that mean? CRIME!