Exploring Reactions to Hacktivism Among STEM College Students: A Preliminary Model of Hacktivism Support and Resistance

Abstract

This study investigated the predictors of support for and resistance to hacktivism in a sample of 78 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors at a Midwestern university. Results from surveys about real-world instances of hacktivism indicate different preexisting global attitudes predict specific situational hacktivism support (predicted by admiration) versus resistance (predicted by willingness to report). Also, participants gave greater weight to their perceptions of hacktivist (rather than target) trustworthiness/untrustworthiness. Comparisons among different facets of trustworthiness suggest perceptions of shared values with and integrity of the hacktivists are especially important for predicting support and resistance. Participants also were more supportive of hacktivism rated as having higher utilitarian value but not less supportive of hacktivism initiated for retribution. Mediation analyses indicated that situation perceptions significantly mediated the effects of global attitudes on hacktivism support/resistance, but that the significance of specific mediators was inconsistent across analyses. This suggests that the importance of mediators may depend on specific context.

We are all (not) Anonymous: Individual- and country-level correlates of support for and opposition to hacktivism

“…Such perceptions are often touted in publicized hacktivist messages where their actions are framed as legitimate (DeTardo-Bora et al, 2019). Supportive of past literature (Holt et al, 2017b;PytlikZillig et al, 2015), believing hacktivists have utilitarian motives was associated with increased support for hacktivist actions. This finding also parallels how the media sometimes depicts hacktivist actions (Klein, 2015).…”

“…Somewhat similarly, and most closely related to the current study, STEM students who thought hacking has utilitarian functions were more supportive of hacktivist actions. Utilitarian functions included providing information to the public, serving the greater good and arriving at the truth (PytlikZillig et al, 2015). This discussion leads to the fourth hypothesis: H4: Perceptions of greater utilitarian functions will be positively correlated with support of hacktivism Intertwined with perceptions of hacktivist functions is trust in the public to take on the role of amplifying or redressing issues within a society.…”

“…The implication of these fuzzy boundaries is that hacktivists originate from within the public but perform distinct social roles from the public at large. Hacktivists are members of the public engaging in cyber activities to achieve social or political objectives (Banks, 2017;George and Leidner, 2019;PytlikZillig et al, 2015;Sorell, 2015;Steinmetz, 2016;Webber and Yip, 2018). Hacktivists may also be a subset of the overall population which are highly skilled.…”

“…Known hacktivist activity is reportedly subsiding. Hacktivism is often defined as the use of legal and/or illegal methods to achieve social and/or political objectives within a collective action setting (Banks, 2017;George and Leidner, 2019;PytlikZillig et al, 2015;Sorell, 2015;Steinmetz, 2016;Webber and Yip, 2018). According to the 2019 Insikt Group Cyber Threat Analysis, mentions of hacktivism in mainstream media, underground forums, and technical blogs have decreased since 2016.…”

“…Although some types of involvement in hacktivist campaigns can require a high degree of technical sophistication, the public can assist with operations or campaigns with limited technical skills (Denning, 2011; Jordan and Taylor, 2004). They can volunteer their computers for use in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, participate by clicking a link or visiting a site, or can provide tools/tutorials for others (Denning, 2011; George and Leidner, 2019; Holt and Kilger, 2012; Majchrzak et al, 2013; PytlikZillig et al, 2015; Solomon, 2017). The public can also raise the profile of campaigns by engaging in clicktivism (i.e.…”