Anonymous/LulzSec vs the government & FBI

Apart from the whole PlayStation Network fiasco I hadn't really been following what was going on too much regarding the Anon/LulzSec attacks (if they're even related) but articles about the escalation of this cyber war and the efforts on the governement's side to impede the hacking attacks, as well as other hacker groups starting to join the fray on both sides is really interesting stuff - like this article detailing about how HPGary Federal's now ex-CEO Aaron Barr tried to take it to Anonymous/LulzSec, and ultimately got his ass handed to him (but not before ruffling a few feathers):
How one man tracked down Anonymous—and paid a heavy price

Even with more and more arrests being made on supposed hackers (read this article if the mental image of some not-so-lulzing kid hacker having his door busted down by armed FBI amuses the hell out of you) you have to wonder though if this may be a venture on the level of the War On Terrorism, something which just seems like an unending and maybe fruitless campaign.

But now there's other groups entering the fray and borh sides, and it's almost amusing about how this is playing out like a real war, just online, with warring factions, differing ideals, tenuous alliances and common causes.

Dox everywhere: LulzSec under attack from hackers, law enforcement


Anybody been following what's been going on?

Does anybody really believe what's being done is a for a greater good as the hackers would have you believe?

I don't know, I can see the argument regarding that from both sides. Having things on a "need to know" basis would surely keep the bouts of mass hysteria down, but then again information that affects the average joe should be readily available too. I don't think you could really sit in the middle cause then who'd decide what has to be made available and what the government/big business can keep to themselves?

So sad

I think I saw some pictures of those arrested so far, one looked about 14 old at the most. And kinda dweeby.

I just didn't expect kids in their early teens to be capable enough to hack bigger entities. Not so much doubting the abilities of kids when so much information and tools are free online to send you on your way to be a hacker, but surprised that the defenses of bigger organisations didn't stop them.

What about companies which are all about network security? I can't believe the guy in one of the stories I linked got unravelled so easily.

I have to disagree. As an entity, they hide behind Chaotic Lawful because it sounds good, but a lot of the time they do shit because they want to and because they think they can - that much is self admitted.
Case-in-point: two years ago or so when it was Anonymous vs. The Church Of Scientology, or "project chanology", at the start it was a united front for Anon in attack. But as the months rolled by, a good 75% of them got bored, while those who stuck to it really felt like they were championing a cause. Anon kinda ate itself though as there was those who'd mock the guys who stuck with Scientology picketing and such as a cause, rather than "for the lulz".