Understanding LulzSec, Anonymous and other hackers

The Takeaway

UK authorities arrested 19-year-old Ryan Cleary on Tuesday, accusing him of involvement with the hacking group LulzSec — a group that takes responsibility for recent attacks on PBS, Sony, the US Senate and several others. Cyber security expert Marc Maiffret spoke to The Takeaway about how these groups operate:

In a lot of ways they are highlighting what people in security have been trying to say. The fact that most computer systems and networks are pretty wide open to be hacked open. What we’re seeing here is a handful of folks who aren’t even trying to do malicious things, because there are a lot worse things that they could be doing.

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“The Takeaway” is a national morning news program, delivering the news and analysis you need to catch up, start your day, and prepare for what’s ahead. The show is a co-production of WNYC and PRI, in editorial collaboration with the BBC, The New York Times Radio, and WGBH.

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