Book Review: Hacktivism And Cyberwars - Rebels With A Cause?

I recently read apart of a hacktivism book, co-authored by Tim Jordan and Paul A. Taylor. The authors described themselves as ex-hackers who used to be a part of a few notable hacktivism groups. The book starts by the duo describing their experiences "within" hacktivism. They share numerous amount of intimate, behind the lines stories that really get the book reader interested in the topic at hand. Taylor tells the story of how he was working with Annonymous to hack a government website. I found it really interesting as he actually described what it took to hack into the secure network and take over the database.

 

After their stories, the book starts to raise a few interesting points about hacktivism. During our term test, we were asked to compare and contrast the opposing views of hacktivism groups and law enforcement agencies. I recently wrote about this in a past blog. The group again bring up this poiunt and really question if hacktivism groups actions are justiable. From what I read, Taylor sees their actions as determinetal to society and only harming the world. This the reason he cites that he left hacktivism and the groups he was involved in. Jordan, who left for different reasons, one he cites being his family, beleives that hacktivist groups actions are politically correct as the public must be informed as to what their own government is doing.

I am starting to find this point to be a reoccurring theme in the hacktivism world. Are hackers actions ethical? Do they really bring out the best in the world?

TELL ME!!