Topic: Hacktivism

The hacktivist group Anonymous claimed responsibility for taking the Trump Tower website offline in protest of Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban. The group has also been active in reporting ISIS-linked Twitter accounts, though the effectiveness of these actions is debated.

Author Parmi Olson appeared on the Today Show and Charlie Rose to promote her book "We Are Anonymous," which explores the culture of online "trolling" and "hacktivism." The discussion characterizes Olson as a potential intelligence plant due to her rapid rise at Forbes and her simplistic security advice. The segment links the rise of Anonymous to online bullying and radicalization, suggesting a narrative shift toward treating hacktivism as a national security threat.

Security firm McAfee released its predictions for 2012, warning of "cyber war," increased "hacktivism" from groups like Anonymous, and attacks on virtual currency systems. The hosts dismiss the report as a marketing tactic for security software, noting that the term "cyber war" is often used loosely to describe low-level website defacement.

The DHS lexicon includes a wide range of groups, from "green anarchists" and "hacktivists" to the "Patriot Movement." The document defines the Patriot Movement as right-wing extremists who link their beliefs to the American Revolution and reject federal authority. The hosts express concern that mainstream political views, such as anti-globalism and support for states' rights, are being criminalized as extremist.