While most people were likely out enjoying the summer sun this weekend, one organization certainly wasn't: the internet hacking group known as Anonymous. The online carnage is there to prove it.
Responding to a government crackdown two weeks ago in which sixteen suspected group members were arrested, Anonymous set out this weekend to prove that they are still strong. First, on Friday night, they hacked into 70 US law enforcement websites and released 10 gigabytes of email addresses and credit card information. These websites were mostly Sheriff's offices in states such as Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Kansas.
According to the Associated Press, Anonymous claimed in a statement that it released "a massive amount of confidential information that is sure to [embarrass], discredit and incriminate police officers across the US." The hackers said they hope to "demonstrate the inherently corrupt nature of law enforcement using their own words" and "disrupt and sabotage their ability to communicate and terrorize communities."
That wasn't all. In a separate attack on Sunday night, the group hacked into the Syrian Ministry of Defense's website, and presented images and a message to the Syrian people. The message, written in both English and Arabic, starts off by stating that "the world stands with you against the brutal regime of Bashar Al-Assad." Though the hacked page has since been removed, the Anonymous Twitter account has posted a link to a replica.
One has to wonder how much further this war between government organizations and hacker groups such as Anonymous will go. Other groups, such as Lulzsec, exist and make frequent attacks as well. Do you think hacker organizations can be stopped? Sound off in the comments section below. And for more web news, please visit the Hudson Horizons blog.