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Could the KGB Infiltrate LulzSec?

Barence writes "Foreign powers could try to infiltrate hacktivist networks in order to manipulate their actions, according to a security expert who advises governments and businesses on internet issues. Likening the emergence of the hacktivist movement to the arrival of militant groups such as the Red Brigade during the 1970s, government advisor and chair of the International E-crime Congress, Simon Moores, said that hacker groups could eventually be swayed by outside influences. 'If you have a LulzSec or an Anonymous that is perhaps being manipulated by a foreign actor, it takes us back to the days of the Stasi and the KGB, which were manipulating [anti-nuclear campaign group] CND quite easily from Moscow,' he said."

12 of 162 comments (clear)

  1. Outdated Headline by eldavojohn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Could the KGB Infiltrate LulzSec?

    No, because it was dissolved in 1991. Could the SVR, FSB or GRU infiltrate LulzSec? Sure, why not? I'm sure anyone could infiltrate the group as long as you're willing to play their game.

    --
    My work here is dung.
    1. Re:Outdated Headline by Threni · · Score: 5, Insightful

      He means `can we get some Cold War eta funding to go on a wild goose chase, please'.

  2. but anonymous is magic by circletimessquare · · Score: 4, Funny

    no one can figure out who anyone is in real life, it can never be killed, and never influenced. it is above and beyond the rules that govern any other group of people, because it has internets. right?

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  3. great fear tactic by alphatel · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Meanwhile Russia can shutdown the US power grid, successfully leached Nuclear secrets in the 50's and owns most of US Steel manufacturing. Yet some shitty hacker outfit called Lulzsec is "easily manipulated. Har! Is it Pirate Day already?

    --
    When the foot seeks the place of the head, the line is crossed. Know your place. Keep your place. Be a shoe.
    1. Re:great fear tactic by vlm · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Meanwhile Russia can shutdown the US power grid, successfully leached Nuclear secrets in the 50's and owns most of US Steel manufacturing. Yet some shitty hacker outfit called Lulzsec is "easily manipulated. Har! Is it Pirate Day already?

      Whoever will take more of my money and more of my civil rights will surely save me.

      --
      "Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
  4. What about? by Broken+scope · · Score: 4, Informative

    So could the CIA, NSA, FBI or any of the 20 or 30 Intelligence/enforcement agencies in the US government.

    What is to say that this hasn't already happened and everything we have seen has been... "just as planned."

    Oh look at me! I can speculate too!

    --
    You mad
  5. Yet Another Lack of Understanding by GameboyRMH · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Law enforcement just can't grasp the concept of Anonymous' lack of a solid hierarchy. Sure they could infiltrate Anonymous, and they'd have as much influence as any other one participant, which is very little. Now if they can flood Anonymous with enough sockpuppets to make up, say, more than 50% of the participants, then they'd have some meaningful influence.

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
    1. Re:Yet Another Lack of Understanding by Vectormatic · · Score: 3, Informative

      I will admit i know nothing about anonymous or lulzsec, but it wouldnt surprise if they worked like your basic internet echo chamber. If the right guy starts screaming the right way, all the other members start parroting and going along. I dont claim that this would be easy, but the lack of hierarchy doesnt preclude one person having influence over a large amount of followers.

      --
      People, what a bunch of bastards
  6. No by ewanm89 · · Score: 4, Informative

    One, the KGB doesn't exist anymore, 2) neither does LulzSec (technically), but even if it doesn't work like that, every single member (I use this loosely as anonymous doesn't really have members) can decide whether to take part in a particular action or not.

  7. Re:Is it worth it? by Smallpond · · Score: 4, Informative
  8. Obligatory Meme... by cjb658 · · Score: 3, Funny

    In Soviet Russia, the government hacks LulzSec!

  9. An interesting read by RogueWarrior65 · · Score: 3, Informative

    I highly recommend "Comrade J" by Pete Earley. http://www.amazon.com/Comrade-J-Pete-Earley/dp/B002BWQ5PY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311602623&sr=8-1
    This book talks about the genesis of the SVR from the KGB. It also talks about how the whole concept of "nuclear winter" was invented by those agencies and fed to gullible westerners including Carl Sagan who steadfastly refused to believe it when NASA scientists debunked the whole thing. It also talks about what a colossal disaster the UN Oil for Food program was, who was duped, who profited from it, and more importantly who was pulling the strings. Bottom line is that foreign intelligence services don't need to do anything directly. There are plenty of idealists willing to do their dirty work.