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The Terrorist - Hacker/Hacktivist Distinction: An Investigation of Self-Identified Hackers and Hacktivists

Tanczer, LM; (2017) The Terrorist - Hacker/Hacktivist Distinction: An Investigation of Self-Identified Hackers and Hacktivists. In: Conway, M and Jarvis, L and Lehane, O and Macdonald, S and Nouri, L, (eds.) Terrorists' Use of the Internet. (pp. 77-92). IOS Press: London, UK. Green open access

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Abstract

The academic literature on terrorism is filled with references to online activities, and the equation of hacking and hacktivism (i.e., politically motivated hacking) with cyberterrorism. This perspective ignores differences in capacities, scope, and motives. Besides, scholarly research is lacking examinations of those perceived as alleged ‘security threats’. This chapter therefore uses interviews with self-identified hackers and hacktivists (N = 35) to address this gap. It examines the distinction between hacking, hacktivism, and cyberterrorism, and studies the discourses and practices of hackers and hacktivists. Building upon the theoretical concept of (in)securitisation and the method of thematic analysis, the findings provide insights into (a) perceptions of hackers and hacktivists by external actors and their (b) self-assessment that stands in contrast to the viewpoints expressed earlier. The results highlight interviewees' objections to the translation of hacking and hacktivism into violent acts of any nature, with participants articulating that the connection of these concepts poses threats to civil liberties and political rights online. The chapter therefore has implications both for academic as well as professional discourse. It seeks to foster a more reflected engagement with these concepts and points to the need for concrete terminological delineations.

Type: Book chapter
Title: The Terrorist - Hacker/Hacktivist Distinction: An Investigation of Self-Identified Hackers and Hacktivists
ISBN-13: 978-1-61499-764-1
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.3233/978-1-61499-765-8-77
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-61499-765-8-77
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Hacking, hacktivism, cyberterrorism, cybersecurity, online activism, critical terrorism studies, CYBER TERRORISM, SECURITY, CYBERTERRORISM
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > STEaPP
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10053647
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