UK authorities have arrested a 19-year-old under suspicion for his potential connection to the hacking group LulzSec. The group has claimed to have pulled off attacks on PBS, Sony and the Senate.
The group has a mischievous persona. It has set up a hotline for people to call in and suggest sites that should be attacked. The recorded voice that answers claims, in an exaggerated French accent, that “Pierre Dubois and Franvois Deluxe” are not available because they’re out hacking websites. Yesterday, they announced that they’re teaming up with Anonymous, another hacking group with a deeper political bent. Is Lulz Sec a legitimate threat? And if they’re not, how are they getting into these networks?
Marc Maiffret, chief technology officer at eEye Digital Security, says the group is reflective of a throwback to old school hacking, where hacking was done for the fun of it, and are proving that there are major faults in the business and governmental online infrastructure.
At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.
Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!