hacktivist
Online civil disobedient
A hacktivist is someone who uses hacking—breaking into computer systems, defacing websites, leaking data—to advance political or social causes.
The term blends hacker and activist.
Hacktivists might target governments, corporations, or organizations they view as corrupt or unjust: The hacktivist group released thousands of internal emails exposing the company's environmental violations.
Leaderless hacktivist network
- WikiLeaksTransparency organization publishing leaks
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- leakerOne who discloses secrets
- cyberactivistOnline political advocate
advocate · campaigner · dissident · protester · collective · manifesto · operation · exposé
Traffic flood attack
- doxingPublishing someone's private information
- defacementDamaging an appearance
- leakEscape through a breach
- breachBreaking of agreement
data dump · exploit · infiltration · social engineering · phishing · encryption · Tor · VPN
Stylized grinning conspirator face
- 4chanAnonymous posting site
- IRCText-based chat protocol
- internet memeWidely spread digital content
- handlePart for gripping
pseudonym · decentralization · open source · free software · copyleft · digital rights · net neutrality
Authority over a state
- corporationLegally separate business entity
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
oppression · injustice · human rights abuse · authoritarian regime · financial institution · intelligence agency · military · propaganda
Exposed secret shell companies
- Chelsea ManningMilitary intelligence leaker
- Edward SnowdenLeaked surveillance secrets
Anonymous
Leaderless hacktivist network
- WikiLeaksTransparency organization publishing leaks
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- leakerOne who discloses secrets
cyberactivist · advocate · campaigner · dissident · protester · collective · manifesto · operation · exposé · transparency
DDoS
Traffic flood attack
- doxingPublishing someone's private information
- defacementDamaging an appearance
- leakEscape through a breach
data dump · breach · exploit · infiltration · social engineering · phishing · encryption · Tor · VPN · proxy
Guy Fawkes mask
Stylized grinning conspirator face
- 4chanAnonymous posting site
- IRCText-based chat protocol
- internet memeWidely spread digital content
handle · pseudonym · decentralization · open source · free software · copyleft · digital rights · net neutrality
government
Authority over a state
- corporationLegally separate business entity
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
corruption · oppression · injustice · human rights abuse · authoritarian regime · financial institution · intelligence agency · military · propaganda · disinformation
Panama Papers
Exposed secret shell companies
- Chelsea ManningMilitary intelligence leaker
- Edward SnowdenLeaked surveillance secrets
- Hackersblack hat, cracker, script kiddie, phreaker, white hat
- hackingexploit, dictionary attack, backdoor, malware, phishing
- Nonconformistsnonconformist, rebels, rebel, misfits, misfit
- free speechfree expression, freedom of speech, protected speech, speech rights, speech protection
- nonstate actorsmilitia, insurgent, rebel group, guerrilla, paramilitary
- Cyberwarfarecyberattack, cyber warfare, cyberwar, cyber attack, cyber weapons
hacktivistcybercriminal
Online law-breaker
identity thief · script kiddie · carder · cracker · corporate spy
hacktivistlobbyist
Paid legislative influencer
community organizer · civil rights lawyer · grassroots organizer · investigative journalist · policy wonk