Operation Payback 'Hacktivists' Support WikiLeaks, Start Cyber War

The WikiLeaks saga continues, and "Anonymous," the group allegedly behind Operation Payback, favors what Julian Assange and his WikiLeaks site does. The group claims that it is behind the many DDOS attacks against the services that have stopped serving WikiLeaks as part of Operation Payback. According to CNet, Operation Payback shut down the Visa and MasterCard websites on Dec. 8, 2010, using Distributed Denial of Service attacks. According to Reuters, Operation Payback also used DDOS attacks to shut down the PayPal website over the weekend of Dec. 4. Operation Payback also shut down Sarah Palin's website on Dec. 8, according to an e-mail sent to ABC News by Palin. Others will follow, according to Anonymous.

Will Operation Payback Help?

No. While the group is certainly getting its point across to millions, the media have more than adequately focused on WikiLeaks, its founder Julian Assange, and Operation Payback, giving the group much-wanted attention. Operation Payback should stop now before criminal charges are filed against its participants. While the group has the right idea in trying to focus the attention on the WikiLeaks situation, using DDOS attacks is only harming the cause.

When Operation Payback stepped in to "help and support" WikiLeaks, it should have made statements, written letters, or started petitions, not start a Cyber War. The message that Operation Payback is sending implies that cyber war and committing cyber crimes is OK, and that doing so is the only way to solve problems or get attention. In reality, cyber wars and attacks are criminal and it does not matter what the reason for the attacks are. From a legal and moral standpoint, cyber war and cyber attacks are wrong.

What About Julian Assange?

With Mr. Assange sitting in a British prison and recently denied bail, Operation Payback is gaining more fuel for the "WikiLeaks fire." While he does not have control over what Operation Payback does or doesn't do, he could make a statement asking the group to stop. To date, he has not, which could show that he agrees with Operation Payback's mission to avenge Assange opposition. Julian Assange not saying anything only serves to further complicate matters.

Current & Possible Future Retaliations

Currently, the Swedish government is attempting to extradite Assange for unrelated sex offense charges. Some see this as retaliation against the WikiLeaks founder and his cause. Considering that neither of the women or the lawyer accusing him are inaccessible and no one knows where they are makes the retaliation case even stronger.

PayPal closed WikiLeaks' account because various government entities were pressuring the service. Currently, the US government is investigating possible criminal charges against Assange for releasing secret cables and videos, but is having difficulty doing so. Under the Whistle Blower Protection Act, both Assange and his website are protected from most charges. The Act typically protects people who come forward with information about governments and corporations allegedly covering up illegal actions. The WikiLeaks-released US cables and videos were uncovering more government cover-ups, according to some reports.

One leak in particular included a video released by WikiLeaks in April 2010. It revealed a US military shooting; two Reuters reporters and children were killed. This was not entirely disclosed to the public until recently, and, originally, the military claimed they did not know how any of the people died. It is easy to understand why this information could be seen as a whistle-blowing activity and protected.

Other cables revealed secret conversations with prominent diplomatic officials from Saudi Arabia, Mexico and other countries-conversations that, under scrutiny, could be considered cover-ups and included under the Act's protection.

Operation Payback is not finished yet. The "hit list" continues to grow, and governments and corporations continue to try to retaliate. The first-ever Cyber War is just beginning.

Sources:

"Target Suggestions: Operation Payback Hit List," Anonops.net
"US Military Murdered Iraq Civilians, Reuters Photographer," The public record (Video)
L. Paige Whitaker, "CRS Report for Congress: The Whistle Blower Protection Act: An Overview"
"PayPal Suspends WikiLeaks Donations Account," Reuters
Elinor Mills, "Facebook, Twitter boot WikiLeaks Supporters after Visa Attack," Cnet news
Jake Tapper, "Exclusive: Sarah Palin Under Cyber-Attack from WikiLeaks Supporters in Operation Payback," ABC News Blog