Through links on sites such as Twitter and Facebook, Anonymous distributed a method that, using JavaScript, automatically targeted sites with an application dubbed the "Low Orbit Ion Cannon". This method not only allowed some 5,600 users to join the web assault, but made it difficult to trace their origins.
Many of the links, however, did not even mention attacks on anti-piracy organizations. Thus, accidental or curious clickers may have unwittingly and innocently participated in an illegal attack. Even if their message was justified, is it right for Anonymous to take advantage of Internet users to further their campaign?
3 comments:
While I do understand why so many people are angry (who hasnt relied on megavideo at some point for that agonizingly unavailable tv show?), I think that the hacktivist's actions are going to come back to hurt them. Tricking people into participating in an online attack only gives the government more reason to want to regulate the use of the Internet.
I really don't think it's right for them to take advantage of innocent Internet users. While they may simply be trying to get a point across, they have no right to pull other people into it, especially if those people are completely unaware of the situation. They're advocating for freedom and free will, yet they are taking it away from the people they are essentially protesting for, tricking users into participating in an illegal act. I think this just hurts their reputation and really won't get them anywhere.
I must agree that it seems hypocritical for advocates of freedom of speech and other rights to pull others without a say into their protest. Attacking proposed policy changes such as SOPA may have been justified, but illegal hacks against the shutting down of a site that condoned piracy for profit seem hard to defend. While many seem to view the two as similar, the gist is that SOPA threatens not only piracy, but Internet security and freedoms. In contrast, Megaupload was a corporation that participated in illegal deeds, including knowingly keeping pirated uploads that brought views and revenue to their site. Distorting the message, or not even including one, in this case, may increase awareness for Anonymous's campaign, but does little to justify it.
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