hacktivism

Or hac·tiv·ism

[hak-tuh-viz-uhm]

noun

Computers.

1. the practice of gaining unauthorized access to a computer system and carrying out various disruptive actions as a means of achieving political or social goals.

   In this form of hacktivism, the hacker tries to alter or deface a government website.

Other Word Forms

• hacktivist noun
• hactivist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hacktivism¹

1995–2000; hack ¹ (in the computer sense) + (ac)tivism

Example Sentences

With the war in Ukraine having lasted more than half a year, cyber activity including hacktivism and electronic warfare has been a constant presence in the background.

Read more on The Verge

“The sense that Russia is off-limits has somewhat expired, and hacktivism is one of the most accessible forms of striking at an unjust regime or its supporting infrastructure,” said Emma Best, co-founder of Distributed Denial of Secrets, which validated and published the regulator and broadcast troves, among others.

Read more on Washington Post

“Traditional hackers were never looked upon fondly from law enforcement or members of the security community, but it seems they have received a free pass in the current conflict to attack all things Russian,” said Jeremiah Fowler, a security researcher who has published research on hacktivism in Ukraine.

Read more on The Verge

So far, the attacks have caused disruption and embarrassment, but cyber-experts have become increasingly concerned by the explosion of hacktivism since the invasion.

Read more on BBC

While the Ukrainian government has actively encouraged hacktivism against Russian government targets, it is an uncommon position for a high-profile US politician to adopt.

Read more on The Verge