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The Beginning
As soon as computers and the internet became widespread in their use, people have been hacking or using the internet and digital technology for reasons that deviated from their intended purposes. For example, in the early 1970s , Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak developed a telephone blue box that allowed people to hack into the telephone system and receive free long distance calls. This was one of the first instances of "phreaking," or phone hacking. -
CULT OF THE DEAD COW (cDc)
One of the first known hacker groups was formed in Lubbock, Texas by Grandmaster Ratte' and Franken Gibe. The cDc is an exclusive group, only letting in new members after extensive debating. Their stated goal is "Global Domination Through Media Saturation." They maintain a weblog where new media is released. -
The WANK Worm
Politically motivate hacking are as old as computers and the internet. However, the earliest known instance of hacktivism appeared when VMS machines connected to agencies like DOE, HEPNET, and SPAN (NASA), were penetrated by an anti-war worm. Machines infected by the WANK worm had their login screens altered to display the message shown on the right. -
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Increasing Online Attacks
Increasing Online Attacks Video
Beginning in the 1990s, political online attacks were becoming more prominent as a way to protest. Through the years, several individual hacktivists and groups would use digital technology and manipulate the internet to get their message across. -
"Hacktivism"
The exact origin of the term "hacktivist" and "hacktivism" are unknown, but a popular belief held that Omega (a member of CULT OF THE DEAD COW) coined the terms as a joke. Oxblood Ruffin (another longstanding member) began to use it, defining it as "the use of technology to advance human rights through electronic media." Its use then spread to journalists, politicians, and other hackers. -
Hacktivismo
Hacktivismo, formed by Oxblood Ruffin, is an offshoot group of CULT OF THE DEAD COW. They believe that access to information is a basic human right. They have also expressed interest in keeping the Internet free from state-sponsored censhorship or "corporate chicanery" so that all opinions can be heard. -
Anonymous Emerges
About Anonymous Video
In 2008, Anonymous made a public announcement through a Youtube video. In the video, they declared war on the Church of Scientology. Although they use the face of Guy Fawkes as a logo and have their own motto, Anonymous isn't considered as a group. They work as a leaderless collective of hackers and protestors who join together under common causes. -
The Start of the Lulz
About LulzSec Video
A new group branching from Anonymous, called LulzSecurity, appeared in early May. Their appearance and actions would show that despite having many hacktivist groups use technology for political means, there are still others who could use the innovations for causeless chaos. -
What Happens Now?
Summary Video
So what does the rise in hacktivism mean? It could be the beginning to a change in what traditional protesting is. Increased use of digital technology for activism could also show the increased initiative to take action. However, there's still the question about if hacktivism is a form of civil disobedience or just vigilantism.
