Operation Payback: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Series of cyberattacks conducted by Anonymous}}
'''Operation Payback''' was a coordinated,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11971259 |title=Anonymous Wikileaks supporters explain web attacks |date=2010-12-10 |access-date=2010-12-10 |work=bbc.co.uk |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> decentralized<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gawker.com/5710948/the-top-three-myths-about-anonymous |title=The Top Three Myths About Anonymous |first=Adrian |last=Chen |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2010-12-11 |work=gawker.com |publisher=[[Gawker]]}}</ref> group of attacks on high-profile<ref>Bodmer, Kilger, Carpenter, & Jones, [[Reverse Deception: Organized Cyber Threat Counter-Exploitation]], (2012) McGraw-Hill Osborne Media. {{ISBN|0071772499}}</ref> opponents of [[Internet piracy]] by [[Internet activist]]s using the "[[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]]" moniker. Operation Payback started as retaliation to [[denial-of-service attack|distributed denial of service]] (DDoS) attacks on [[Torrent file|torrent]] sites; piracy proponents then decided to launch DDoS attacks on piracy opponents. The initial reaction snowballed into a wave of attacks on major pro-copyright and anti-piracy organizations, law firms, and individuals. The [[Motion Picture Association|Motion Picture Association of America]], the [[Pirate Party UK]] and [[United States Pirate Party]] criticised the attacks.
{{lead too short|date=January 2012}}
'''Operation Payback''' was a coordinated,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11971259 |title=Anonymous Wikileaks supporters explain web attacks |date=2010-12-10 |access-date=2010-12-10 |work=bbc.co.uk |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> decentralized<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gawker.com/5710948/the-top-three-myths-about-anonymous |title=The Top Three Myths About Anonymous |first=Adrian |last=Chen |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2010-12-11 |work=gawker.com |publisher=[[Gawker]]}}</ref> group of attacks on high-profile<ref>Bodmer, Kilger, Carpenter, & Jones, [[Reverse Deception: Organized Cyber Threat Counter-Exploitation]], (2012) McGraw-Hill Osborne Media. {{ISBN|0071772499}}</ref> opponents of [[Internet piracy]] by [[Internet activist]]s using the "[[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]]" moniker. Operation Payback started as retaliation to [[denial-of-service attack|distributed denial of service]] (DDoS) attacks on [[Torrent file|torrent]] sites; piracy proponents then decided to launch DDoS attacks on piracy opponents. The initial reaction snowballed into a wave of attacks on major pro-copyright and anti-piracy organizations, law firms, and individuals.
 
Following the [[United States diplomatic cables leak]] in December 2010, the organizers commenced DDoS attacks on websites of banks who had withdrawn banking facilities from [[WikiLeaks]].
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When the site came back online a 350[[Megabyte|MB]] file, which was a backup of the site, was visible to anyone for a short period of time.<ref name="theregister4">{{cite news |title=Anti-piracy lawyers' email database leaked after hack |first=John |last=Leydon |newspaper=The Register |date=2010-09-27 |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/09/27/anti_piracy_lawyer_email_leak/ |access-date=2010-10-22}}</ref> The backup, which included copies of emails sent by the firm, was downloaded and made available on various [[peer-to-peer]] networks and websites including [[The Pirate Bay]].<ref name="theregister4"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-09/27/leaked-emails-fuel-anti-piracy-scandal |title=Leaked emails fuel anti-piracy scandal |first=Duncan |last=Geere |publisher=Wired.co.uk |date=2010-09-27 |access-date=2010-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928164025/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-09/27/leaked-emails-fuel-anti-piracy-scandal |archive-date=2010-09-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://torrentfreak.com/acslaw-anti-piracy-law-firm-torn-apart-by-leaked-emails-100925/ |title=ACS:Law Anti Piracy Law Firm Torn Apart by Leaked Emails |author=enigmax |publisher=TorrentFreak |date=2010-09-25 |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref> Some of the emails contained unencrypted [[Microsoft Excel|Excel]] spreadsheets, listing the names and addresses of people that ACS:Law had accused of illegally sharing media. One contained more than 5,300 [[Sky broadband]] customers whom they had accused of illegally sharing [[pornography]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Emery |first=Daniel |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11418962 |title=Adult video-sharing list leaked from law firm |work=BBC News |date=2010-09-27 |access-date=2010-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/11430299 |title='My details appeared on 'porn' list' |date=2010-09-28 |publisher=BBC |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref> while another contained the details of 8,000 Sky customers and 400 [[Plusnet]] customers accused of infringing the copyright on music by sharing it on [[Peer-to-peer file sharing|peer-to-peer networks]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Emery |first=Daniel |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11425789|title=Fresh ACS:Law file-sharing lists expose thousands more|date=2010-09-28 |access-date=2010-09-28 |work=BBC News}}</ref> This alleged breach of the [[Data Protection Act 1998|Data Protection Act]] has become part of the ongoing investigation into ACS:Law by the [[Information Commissioner's Office]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Emery |first=Daniel |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11434809|title=BT embroiled in ACS:Law porn list breach|date=2010-09-29 |access-date=2010-09-29 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Emery |first=Daniel |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11418970|title=ACS:Law could face £500,000 fine for porn list leak|date=2010-09-28 |access-date=2010-09-28 |work=BBC News}}</ref>
 
On September 30, the [[Leesburg, Virginia]] office of Dunlap, Grubb & Weaver law firm &ndash; also doing business as the "[[US Copyright Group|U.S. Copyright Group]]"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100903/11144710895.shtml |title=Hurt Locker Subpoenas Arrive With New Language ... And Higher Demands |first=Mike |last=Masnick |work=Techdirt |date=2010-09-03 |access-date=2010-11-28}}</ref> &ndash; was evacuated by the police after an emailed bomb threat was received.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leesburg2day.com/articles/2010/09/30/news/9513bombthreat093010.txt |title=Investigators Track Leads In Bomb Threat At Leesburg Law Office |date=2010-09-30 |access-date=2010-10-27 |first=Erika Jacobson |last=Moore |publisher=Leesburg Today |work=leesburg2day.com }}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leesburgva.gov/index.aspx?recordid=872&page=29 |title= Leesburg Police Investigating Bomb Threat |work=leesburgva.gov |date=2010-09-30 |access-date=2010-12-23 |archive-date=2011-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719141728/http://www.leesburgva.gov/index.aspx?recordid=872&page=29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It's believed the event could be connected to Anonymous.<ref name="torrentfreak-3">{{cite web |url=http://torrentfreak.com/anti-piracy-law-firm-evacuated-after-bomb-threat-101001/ |title=Anti-Piracy Law Firm Evacuated After Bomb Threat |date=2010-10-01 |access-date=2010-10-27 |publisher=TorrentFreak |author=Ernesto}}</ref> Non-related copyright or law firms sites, such as websheriff.com,<ref name="slyck"/> were also attacked. These attacks were originally organized through an [[Internet Relay Chat]] channel.<ref name="theregister1"/> The attacks also became a popular topic on [[Twitter]].<ref name="theregister1"/>
 
===Australian pro-copyright organization===
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===ACAPOR===
 
In September 2010, in an attempt to ensure that [[Portugal|Portuguese]] citizens can'tcould not access ''thepiratebay.org'', Associação do Comércio Audiovisual de Portugal (ACAPOR) filed a complaint against [[The Pirate Bay]]. The complaint was filed with the General Inspection of Cultural Activities, which is part of the [[Ministry of Culture (Portugal)|Portuguese Ministry of Culture]]. According to the movie rental association, The Pirate Bay is directly responsible for about 15 million illegal downloads in Portugal every year. By installing a Pirate Bay block on all [[Internet service provider|ISP]]s, ACAPOR hoped to decrease the financial damage it claims The Pirate Bay causes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://torrentfreak.com/movie-rental-outfit-calls-for-nationwide-pirate-bay-block-100916/ |title=Movie Rental Outfit Calls For Nationwide Pirate Bay Block |publisher=TorrentFreak |date=2010-09-16 |author=Ernesto |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref>
 
On October 18, 2010, the ACAPOR website was [[website defacement|defaced]], presenting text from Operation Payback and a redirect to The Pirate Bay after a few seconds. In addition to defacing the website, a copy of the email database of ACAPOR was uploaded to The Pirate Bay.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://torrentfreak.com/movie-rental-outfit-hacked-emails-leaked-redirected-to-the-pirate-bay-101018/|title=Movie Rental Outfit Hacked, Emails Leaked, Redirected to The Pirate Bay |author=Ernesto |date=2010-10-18 |publisher=TorrentFreak |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unitethecows.com/content/299-acapor-emails-leaked-pirate-bay.html |title=ACAPOR Emails Leaked to The Pirate Bay |first=Brian |last=Houston |date=2010-10-18 |work=unitethecows.com |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref> The leaked e-mails so far revealed ACAPOR's methods of denunciation, its dissatisfaction with the Portuguese government and justice system,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://peerauthority.com/acapor1/ |title=A Look Into ACAPOR's Emails: Denunciation, Discontent and Education |first=Pavel |last=Mitov |publisher=Peer Authority |date=2010-10-04 |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref> its perception of the copyright debate as war, and its antagonism with the ISPs. ACAPOR claimed that "the business of ISPs is illegal downloading."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://peerauthority.com/acapor2/ |title=Back to ACAPOR: The War and the ISP |first=Pavel |last=Mitov |publisher=Peer Authority |date=2010-10-11 |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref>
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On October 15, 2010, Copyprotected.com was [[SQL injection|SQL injected]] and defaced,<ref name="pandalabssecurity"/><ref name="torrentfreak-4">{{cite web |url=http://torrentfreak.com/mpaa-copy-protected-drmsite-hacked-by-anonymous-101015/|title=MPAA Copy-Protected DRM Site Hacked By Anonymous|date=2010-10-15|access-date=2010-10-27|author=enigmax |publisher=TorrentFreak}}</ref> and three days later Operation Payback launched a DDoS attack against the [[UK Intellectual Property Office]].<ref name="theregister6">{{cite news |title=Notorious Anonymous hacktivists launch fresh attacks |first=John |last=Leydon |newspaper=The Register |date=2010-10-18 |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/18/anon_ipo_ddos/ |access-date=2010-10-22}}</ref>
 
[[Production companies]] SatelFilm.at and Wega-Film.at were hit by "drive-by" DDoSes on October 21, 2010, in response to their efforts to gain a court injunction against an [[ISP]] that refused to block a movie-streaming website,<ref name="slycknews">{{cite news |title=Operation: Payback Hits SatelFilm.at with 'Drive By' DoS |first=Thomas |last=Mennecke |newspaper=Slyck News |date=2010-10-21 |url=http://www.slyck.com/story2097_Operation_Payback_Hits_SatelFilmat_with_Drive_By_DoS |access-date=2010-10-26 |archive-date=2010-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024215544/http://www.slyck.com/story2097_Operation_Payback_Hits_SatelFilmat_with_Drive_By_DoS |url-status=dead }}</ref> Operation Payback then knocked porn website [[Hustler (magazine)|Hustler.com]] offline the following day.<ref name="slycknews-hustler">{{cite news |title=Hustler Knocked Offline in Operation: Payback |first=Thomas |last=Mennecke |newspaper=Slyck News |date=2010-10-22 |url=http://www.slyck.com/story2099_Hustler_Knocked_Offline_in_Operation_Payback |access-date=2010-12-17 |archive-date=2011-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101104504/http://www.slyck.com/story2099_Hustler_Knocked_Offline_in_Operation_Payback |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
===Musician and copyright advocate===
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During the 2010 [[MIPCOM]] convention, [[Gene Simmons]] of [[Kiss (band)|KISS]] stated:
 
{{blockquote|text=Make sure your brand is protected ...{{omission}} Make sure there are no incursions. Be litigious. Sue everybody. Take their homes, their cars. Don't let anybody cross that line.|||Gene Simmons<ref name="Lasar">{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/10/kiss-frontman-we-should-have-sued-them-all.ars |title=KISS frontman on P2P: "Sue everybody. Take their homes, their cars." |last=Lasar |first=Matthew |work=[[Ars Technica]] |date=2010-10-05 |access-date=2010-12-20}}</ref>|author=Gene Simmons}}
 
In response to Simmons' comments,<ref name="theguardian">{{cite news |title=Gene Simmons gets kiss of death from notorious web forum |first=Josh |last=Halliday |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=2010-10-14 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2010/oct/14/gene-simmons-anonymous-attack-filesharing |access-date=2010-10-22 |location=London}}</ref> members of Operation Payback switched their attentions to his two websites, ''SimmonsRecords.com'' and ''GeneSimmons.com'', taking them both offline for a total of 38 hours.<ref name="pandalabssecurity"/><ref name="Mennecke">{{cite web |url=http://www.slyck.com/story2085_Anonymous_Strikes_at_KISS_Frontman_Gene_Simmons_With_DDoS_Attack |title=Slyck News - Anonymous Strikes at KISS Frontman Gene Simmons With DDoS Attack |last=Mennecke |first=Thomas |date=2010-10-13 |publisher=Slyck News |access-date=2010-10-20 |archive-date=2010-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017071730/http://www.slyck.com/story2085_Anonymous_Strikes_at_KISS_Frontman_Gene_Simmons_With_DDoS_Attack |url-status=dead }}</ref> At some point during the course of this DDoS, ''GeneSimmons.com'' was hacked and redirected to [[The Pirate Bay|ThePirateBay.org]].<ref name="escapistmagazine">{{cite news |title=Gene Simmons Declares War on Anonymous |first=Andy |last=Chalk |newspaper=Escapist Magazine |date=2010-10-19 |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104513-Gene-Simmons-Declares-War-on-Anonymous |access-date=2010-10-22 |archive-date=2010-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022102021/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104513-Gene-Simmons-Declares-War-on-Anonymous |url-status=dead }}</ref> In response to the attack Simmons wrote:
 
{{blockquote|text=
Some of you may have heard a few popcorn farts re: our sites being threatened by hackers.
 
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First, they will be punished.
 
Second, they might find their little butts in jail, right next to someone who's been there for years and is looking for a new girl friend.</p>
 
We will soon be printing their names and pictures.
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You cannot hide.
 
Stay tuned<ref name="Mennecke1">{{cite web |url=http://www.slyck.com/story2088_Gene_Simmons_Directly_Threatens_Anonymous_With_Legal_Action_Jail_Time |title=Gene Simmons Directly Threatens Anonymous With Legal Action, Jail Time |last=Mennecke |first=Thomas |date=2010-10-17 |publisher=SLYK |access-date=2010-10-12 |archive-date=2010-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020081701/http://www.slyck.com/story2088_Gene_Simmons_Directly_Threatens_Anonymous_With_Legal_Action_Jail_Time |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
 
This led to additional attacks and subsequently more downtime for his websites.<ref name="Mennecke1"/><ref name="Read">{{cite web |url=http://gawker.com/5666411/gene-simmons-doesnt-understand-the-internet |title=Gene Simmons Doesn't Understand the Internet |last=Read |first=Max |date=2010-10-18<!-- 03:40 AM--> |work=[[Gawker]] |access-date=2010-10-20}}</ref><ref name="Anderson">{{cite news |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/10/gene-simmons-vs-anonymous-whos-the-bigger-asshole.ars |title=Gene Simmons vs. Anonymous: Who's the bigger tool? |last=Anderson |first=Nate |work=[[Ars Technica]] |date=2010-10-18 |access-date=2010-10-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://laeknishendr.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/gene-simmons-vs-anonymous/ |title=Gene Simmons vs Anonymous |author=laeknishendr |work=Danger Nazi Zombies Ahead |publisher=WordPress |date=2010-10-18 |access-date=2010-10-20}}</ref> Later, Simmons's message was removed from his website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://genesimmons.com/102010.html |title=GeneSimmons.com Archive News |access-date=2010-10-30 |publisher=[[Gene Simmons]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115051159/http://www.genesimmons.com/102010.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-01-15}}</ref> More than one year later, in December 2011, a person supposedly known under the nickname "spydr101" was arrested in relation to the attack against GeneSimmons.com. He was charged with conspiracy and unauthorized impairment of a protected computer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/12/man-feds-say-connected-to-anonymous-hackers-man-charged-in-kiss-hacking-case.html |title='Anonymous' hacker charged in breach of KISS' Gene Simmons' website |date=2011-12-13 |access-date=2011-12-13 |author=Andrew Blankstein |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/13/us/california-gene-simmons-anonymous/ |title=Hacker tied to Anonymous charged with targeting GeneSimmons.com |publisher=CNN |author=Michael Martinez |date=2011-12-14 |access-date=2011-12-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-genesimmons-hacker-idUSTRE7BC2MQ20111214 |title=Alleged Gene Simmons website hacker arrested |date=2011-12-13 |access-date=2011-12-13 |publisher=Reuters |first=Jill |last=Serjeant}}</ref>
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===RIAA===
 
On October 26, 2010, [[LimeWire]] was ordered to disable the "searching, downloading, uploading, file trading and/or file distribution functionality" after losing a court battle with the [[RIAA]] over claims of copyright infringement. Not satisfied with the injunction, the RIAA announced its intention to continue the ''[[Arista Records LLC v. Lime Group LLC]]'' trial to recover damages caused by the program.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2616212420101026 |title=Court shuts down LimeWire music-sharing service |work=[[Reuters]] |first1=Yinka |last1=Adegoke |first2=Jonathan |last2=Stempel |date=2010-10-26 |access-date=2010-10-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20020786-261.html |title=Judge slaps Lime Wire with permanent injunction |first=Greg |last=Sandoval |work=[[CNET]] |date=2010-10-26 |access-date=2010-10-26}}</ref> In retaliation,<ref name="cnbc">{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/39910518 |title=The Shared Enemy of Hollywood, Gene Simmons and Hustler |first=Chris |last=Morris |date=2010-10-29 |publisher=[[CNBC]] |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref> members of Operation Payback announced that they would attack RIAA's website on October 29, despite the fact that the group typically does not hit the same target twice.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slyck.com/story2109_Anonymous_Planning_DDoS_Attack_Against_the_RIAA |title=Anonymous Planning DDoS Attack Against the RIAA |date=2010-10-28 |publisher=Slyck.com |first=Thomas |last=Mennecke |access-date=2010-12-23 |archive-date=2011-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101103647/http://www.slyck.com/story2109_Anonymous_Planning_DDoS_Attack_Against_the_RIAA |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2371670,00.asp |title='Anonymous' Plans DDoS Attack on RIAA on Friday |date=2010-10-28 |first=Mark |last=Hachman |publisher=[[PC Magazine]] |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref> On October 29, ''riaa.org'' indeed was taken offline via [[denial-of-service attack]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slyck.com/story2110_RIAA_and_LimeWire_Both_Are_Offline |title=RIAA and LimeWire Both are Offline |date=2010-10-29 |first=Thomas |last=Mennecke |publisher=[[Slyck.com]] |access-date=2010-12-23 |archive-date=2010-11-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102150819/http://www.slyck.com/story2110_RIAA_and_LimeWire_Both_Are_Offline |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2371784,00.asp |title='Anonymous' DDoS Attack Takes Down RIAA Site |date=2010-10-29 |first=Mark |last=Hachman |publisher=PC Magazine |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref> After the attack, ''riaa.com'' and ''riaa.org'' sites were inaccessible in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Anonymous-Attacks-RIAA-over-LimeWire-Shutdown-164053.shtml |title=Anonymous Attacks RIAA over LimeWire Shutdown |date=2010-11-01 |first=Lucian |last=Constantin |publisher=[[Softpedia]] |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref> Operation Payback's main site was attacked later that day, and they subsequently moved their website from ''tieve.tk'' to ''anonops.net''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/01/riaa_anon_ddos/ |title=RIAA and Anonymous sites both downed by DDoS assaults |date=2010-11-01 |first=John |last=Leyden |publisher=The Register |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref><ref name="net-security">{{cite web |url=http://www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=10080 |title=RIAA's sites downed by Anonymous DDoS attack |date=2010-11-01 |work=net-security.org |first=Zeljika |last=Zorz |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref>
 
During the damages phase of the LimeWire trial, the RIAA attempted to switch from seeking statutory damages per-work to seeking them per-infringement, but did not quote a total damage amount, nor a method of calculating the number of infringements.<ref name=DamagesRuling>{{cite web|url=http://beckermanlegal.com/Lawyer_Copyright_Internet_Law/arista_limewire_110310DecisionStatutoryDamages.pdf|title=Opinion and order - Case 1:06-cv-05936-KMW -DCF Document 678|date=2011-03-10|access-date=2012-10-16}}</ref> The judge in the case rejected the proposal, holding that case law only supported statutory damages on a per-work basis for large-scale infringement, thus capping the potential award at $1.5 billion.<ref name=DamagesRuling/> On March 15, 2011, four days after the ruling, a report appeared on Law.com highlighting the judge's remark that the per-infringement award sought by the record companies might total in the "trillions"; the report estimated $75 trillion in its attention-grabbing headline (USA's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|nominal GDP]] in 2012-2013 was about $16–17 trillion).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2014/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2012&ey=2019&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=41&pr1.y=3&c=512%2C668%2C914%2C672%2C612%2C946%2C614%2C137%2C311%2C962%2C213%2C674%2C911%2C676%2C193%2C548%2C122%2C556%2C912%2C678%2C313%2C181%2C419%2C867%2C513%2C682%2C316%2C684%2C913%2C273%2C124%2C868%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C943%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C624%2C692%2C522%2C694%2C622%2C142%2C156%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C565%2C228%2C283%2C924%2C853%2C233%2C288%2C632%2C293%2C636%2C566%2C634%2C964%2C238%2C182%2C662%2C453%2C960%2C968%2C423%2C922%2C935%2C714%2C128%2C862%2C611%2C135%2C321%2C716%2C243%2C456%2C248%2C722%2C469%2C942%2C253%2C718%2C642%2C724%2C643%2C576%2C939%2C936%2C644%2C961%2C819%2C813%2C172%2C199%2C132%2C733%2C646%2C184%2C648%2C524%2C915%2C361%2C134%2C362%2C652%2C364%2C174%2C732%2C328%2C366%2C258%2C734%2C656%2C144%2C654%2C146%2C336%2C463%2C263%2C528%2C268%2C923%2C532%2C738%2C944%2C578%2C176%2C537%2C534%2C742%2C536%2C866%2C429%2C369%2C433%2C744%2C178%2C186%2C436%2C925%2C136%2C869%2C343%2C746%2C158%2C926%2C439%2C466%2C916%2C112%2C664%2C111%2C826%2C298%2C542%2C927%2C967%2C846%2C443%2C299%2C917%2C582%2C544%2C474%2C941%2C754%2C446%2C698%2C666&s=NGDPD&grp=0&a=|title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects}}</ref> This figure was repeated in ''[[PC Magazine]]'' on March 23.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2382494,00.asp|title=P2P Music File Sharing Dropped After Limewire Shutdown, NPD Says|last=Albanesius|first=Chloe|date=2011-03-23|access-date=2012-10-16}}</ref> An Operation Payback call-to-arms followed, citing the $75 trillion figure as if it were still being actively sought by the RIAA, and a DDoS attack on the RIAA website commenced on March 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infosecisland.com/blogview/12729-RIAA-Targeted-by-Anonymous-Operation-Payback.html|title=RIAA Targeted by Anonymous' Operation Payback|date=2011-03-28|access-date=2012-10-16|archive-date=2012-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015231300/http://infosecisland.com/blogview/12729-RIAA-Targeted-by-Anonymous-Operation-Payback.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
===November 5, 2010 attacks===
Line 79 ⟶ 78:
Around October 28, 2010, the group set up a new website with the intention of coordinating protests around the world to raise awareness of their cause. The date for the protest activities were on November 5, the intended day of the [[Gunpowder Plot]], with which Anonymous heavily affiliates through its use of [[Guy Fawkes]] masks.
 
The protest activity included an attack on the [[United States Copyright Office]], after which the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] launched an investigation.<ref name="cnet">{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20022264-261.html |title=FBI probes 4chan's 'Anonymous' DDoS attacks |first=Greg |last=Sandoval |publisher=[[CNET.com]] |date=2010-11-09 |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref> They later arrested one person accused of taking part in the attack on [[PayPal]].<ref name=nl>{{cite news|last=Sterling|first=Toby|title=Dutch give details on 4 'Anonymous' hacker arrests|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/dutch-give-details-on-4-anonymous-hacker-arrests-20110721-1hp9g.html|access-date=21 July 2011|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=21 July 2011|agency=[[Fairfax Media]]|archive-url=https://wwwarchive.webcitation.orgtoday/20121230153054/60Lj08HZB?url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/dutch-give-details-on-4-anonymous-hacker-arrests-20110721-1hp9g.html|archive-date=2130 JulyDecember 20112012|url-status=live|location=[[Sydney]]}}</ref>
 
===Hiatus and resumption of website attacks===
Line 85 ⟶ 84:
 
==Sarah Palin==
On December 8, 2010, U.S. politician [[Sarah Palin]] announced that her website and personal credit card information were compromised.<ref name="sarah-1"/> Palin's team believed the attack was executed by Anonymous, though Anonymous never commented about Palin as a possible target for any attack.<ref name="sarah-1"/><ref name="metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/849918-sarah-palin-website-hit-by-wikileaks-operation-payback-ddos-attack |title=Sarah Palin website hit by WikiLeaks Operation Payback DDoS attack |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2010-12-09 |work=metro.co.uk |publisher=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |first=Tom |last=Phillips}}</ref><ref name="sarah-2"/> Palin's technical team posted a screenshot of a server log file showing the wikileaks.org [[URL]].<ref name="sarah-1"/><ref name="sarah-2">{{cite web |url=http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions/view/opinion/Is-Palin-Just-Using-Operation-Payback-to-Get-Attention-6125 |title=Is Palin Just Using 'Operation Payback' to Get Attention? |first=John |last=Hudson |work=theatlanticwire.com |publisher=The Atlantic Wire |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2010-12-09 |archive-date=2010-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211120803/http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions/view/opinion/Is-Palin-Just-Using-Operation-Payback-to-Get-Attention-6125 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Visa attacks had been denial of service attacks, but credit card data was not compromised. It is unknown whether Palin's card was compromised as part of a broad attack on Visa or a specific attack on the Palins.<ref name="sarah-2"/>
 
==Operation Avenge Assange==
 
In December 2010, [[WikiLeaks]] came under intense pressure to stop publishing secret U.S. diplomatic cables. Corporations such as [[Amazon.com|Amazon]], [[PayPal]], [[BankAmerica]], Swiss bank [[PostFinance]], [[MasterCard]] and [[Visa Inc.|Visa]] either stopped working with or froze their customers' donations to WikiLeaks due to political pressures. In response, those behind Operation Payback directed their activities against these companies.<ref name="panda">{{cite web|url=http://pandalabs.pandasecurity.com/operationpayback-broadens-to-operation-avenge-assange/ |title=Operation:Payback broadens to "Operation Avenge Assange" |work=pandasecurity.com |date=2010-12-06 |access-date=2010-12-09 |first=Sean-Paul |last=Correll |publisher=[[Panda Security]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208061947/http://pandalabs.pandasecurity.com/operationpayback-broadens-to-operation-avenge-assange/ |archive-date=December 8, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/latest-updates-on-leak-of-u-s-cables-day-9/#operation-payback-plans-attacks-on-paypal |title=Latest Updates on Leak of U.S. Cables, Day 9 |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Robert |last=Mackey |date=2010-12-06 |access-date=2010-12-07}}</ref> Operation Payback launched DDoS attacks against PayPal, PostFinance and the [[Law enforcement in Sweden#Swedish Prosecution Authority|Swedish Prosecution Authority]].<ref name="rawstory1">{{cite web |url=http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/hackers-website-bank-froze-wikileaks-funds/ |title=Hackers take down website of bank that froze WikiLeaks funds |first=Daniel |last=Tencer |work=The Raw Story |date=2010-12-06 |access-date=2010-12-07 |archive-date=2010-12-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208235538/http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/hackers-website-bank-froze-wikileaks-funds/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2010/dec/07/wikileaks-us-embassy-cables-live-updates |title=WikiLeaks US embassy cables: live updates |first1=Matthew |last1=Weaver |first2=Richard |last2=Adams |work=The Guardian |date=2010-12-07 |access-date=2010-12-07 |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/PayPal-PostFinance-Hit-by-DoS-Attacks-CounterAttack-in-Progress-860335/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209011911/http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/PayPal-PostFinance-Hit-by-DoS-Attacks-CounterAttack-in-Progress-860335/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 9, 2012 |title=PayPal, PostFinance Hit by DoS Attacks, Counter-Attack in Progress |first=Fahmida Y. |last=Rashid |work=eWeek.com |date=2010-12-06 |access-date=2010-12-07 }}</ref> On December 8, 2010, a coordinated DDoS attack by Operation Payback brought down both the MasterCard and Visa websites.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cyberwar: Now Hackers Have Taken Down Mastercard.com As Revenge For Julian Assange |first=Joe |last=Weisenthal |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/cyber-hackers-that-took-down-swiss-bank-site-have-now-taken-down-mastercardcom-2010-12 |newspaper=Business Insider |date=2010-12-08 |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/08/wikileaks-visa-mastercard-operation-payback |title=WikiLeaks supporters disrupt Visa and MasterCard sites in 'Operation Payback' |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2010-12-09 |first1=Esther |last1=Addley |first2=Josh |last2=Halliday |publisher=[[The Guardian]] |work=guardian.co.uk |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2374023,00.asp |title='Anonymous' Launches DDoS Attacks Against WikiLeaks Foes |work=pcmag.com |publisher=[[PC Magazine]] |first=Leslie |last=Horn |date=2010-12-08 |access-date=2010-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boingboing.net/2010/12/08/in-pro-wikileaks-act.html |title=Continuing pro-WikiLeaks DDOS actions, Anonymous takes down PayPal.com |first=Xeni |last=Jardin |date=2010-12-08 |access-date=2010-12-09 |work=boingboing.net |publisher=[[Boing Boing]]}}</ref> On December 9, 2010, prior to a sustained DDoS attack on the PayPal website that caused a minor slowdown to its service, PayPal announced on its blog that it would release the frozen funds in the account of the [[Wau Holland Foundation]] that was raising funds for WikiLeaks, but would not reactivate the account.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thepaypalblog.com/2010/12/updated-statement-about-wikileaks-from-paypal-general-counsel-john-muller/ |title=Updated Statement about WikiLeaks from PayPal General Counsel, John Muller |first=John |last=Muller |work=thepaypalblog.com |publisher=[[PayPal]] |date=2010-12-08 |access-date=2010-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108115822/https://www.thepaypalblog.com/2010/12/updated-statement-about-wikileaks-from-paypal-general-counsel-john-muller/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-01-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://erictric.com/2010/12/08/paypal-vows-to-release-wikileaks-funds-account-to-remain-blocked/ |title=PayPal Vows to Release WikiLeaks Funds, Account to Remain Blocked |first=Bertrand |last=Vasquez |date=2010-12-08 |access-date=2010-12-09 |work=erictric.com |archive-date=2011-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412092610/http://erictric.com/2010/12/08/paypal-vows-to-release-wikileaks-funds-account-to-remain-blocked/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Regarding the attacks, WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson denied any relation to the group and said, "We neither condemn nor applaud these attacks. We believe they are a reflection of public opinion on the actions of the targets."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikileaks.ch/articles/2010/Statement-on-DDOS-attacks.html |title=Statement on DDOS attacks |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2010-12-09 |work=wikileaks.ch |publisher=[[WikiLeaks]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210081025/http://www.wikileaks.ch/articles/2010/Statement-on-DDOS-attacks.html |archive-date=December 10, 2010 }}</ref> On the same day, a 16-year-old boy was arrested in [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]], in connection with the distributed denial-of-service attacks against MasterCard and PayPal.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/12/09/world.wikileaks/ |title=Pro-WikiLeaks hackers change target to PayPal |access-date=2010-12-09 |date=2010-12-09 |author=The CNN Wire Staff |publisher=[[CNN]] |work=edition.cnn.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2010/12/09/dutch-boy-arrested-for-wikileaks-related-ddos-attacks-on-mastercard-and-paypal/ |title=Dutch boy arrested for WikiLeaks-related DDoS attacks on Mastercard and PayPal |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2010-12-09 |first=Graham |last=Cluley |work=nakedsecurity.sophos.com |publisher=[[Sophos]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.om.nl/actueel/nieuws-_en/@154591/16-jarige_jongen/ |language=nl |title=16-jarige jongen aangehouden vanwege WikiLeaks-aanvallen |first=Landelijk |last=Parket |work=om.nl |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2010-12-09 |archive-date=2012-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331221259/http://www.om.nl/actueel/nieuws-_en/@154591/16-jarige_jongen/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The boy was an IRC operator under the nickname of Jeroenz0r.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://torrentfreak.com/anonymous-operation-payback-irc-operator-arrested-101210/ |title=Anonymous' Operation Payback IRC Operator Arrested |date=2010-12-10 |access-date=2011-01-07 |publisher=TorrentFreak |author=Ernesto}}</ref>
 
On December 10, 2010, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' reported that Anonymous had threatened to disrupt British government websites if Assange were extradited to Sweden.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8193210/WikiLeaks-hackers-threaten-British-Government.html |title=WikiLeaks Hackers Threaten British Government |date=2010-12-10 |access-date=2010-12-10|first=Steven |last=Swinford |work=telegraph.co.uk |publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London}}</ref> Anonymous issued a [[press release]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dump.no/files/467072ba2a42/ANONOPS_The_Press_Release.pdf |title=Dump.no |access-date=2010-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211014222/http://dump.no/files/467072ba2a42/ANONOPS_The_Press_Release.pdf |archive-date=2010-12-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> in an attempt to clarify the issue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thinq.co.uk/2010/12/10/who-are-anonymous-and-what-do-they-want/ |title=Who are Anonymous? And what do they want? |first=James |last=Nixon |date=2010-12-10 |access-date=2010-12-10 |work=thinq.co.uk}}</ref>
 
[[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] co-founder [[John Perry Barlow]] described the attacks as "the [[shot heard round the world]]—this is [[Battles of Lexington and Concord|Lexington]]."<ref>{{cite news|last=Cohen|first=Noam|title=Web Attackers Find a Cause in WikiLeaks|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/world/10wiki.html|access-date=11 December 2010|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 10, 2010}}</ref> On December 13, 2010 [[Julian Assange]] called for supporters to protect WikiLeaks and said that "Visa, Mastercard, PayPal and others are instruments of US foreign policy" in a statement that was seen as likely to add cyber attacks being perpetrated by Anonymous in support of WikiLeaks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=2010-12-14 |title=Julian Assange urges supporters to protect WikiLeaks |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/dec/14/wikileaks-julian-assange-protect-from-attack |access-date=2023-10-23 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
 
The following is a list of sites and domains known to have been targeted<!-- (in reliable sources)-->:
Line 142 ⟶ 141:
|''sarahpac.com''
|align="center"|2010-12-08
|align="center"|<ref name="sarah-1">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/12/exclusive-palin-under-cyber-attack-from-wikileaks-supporters-in-operation-payback.html |title=Exclusive: Sarah Palin Under Cyber-Attack from Wikileaks Supporters in 'Operation Payback' |date=2010-12-08 |access-date=2010-12-09 |work=abcnews.com |first=Jake |last=Tapper |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[PayPal]]
Line 173 ⟶ 172:
Operation Payback's attempt to take down Amazon.com was aborted after they failed to recruit enough users to their botnet; CNN noted that the massive Amazon website "is almost impossible to crash."<ref name="AmazonAborted"/><!-- The failed DDoS attack has been attributed to Amazon's massive server capacity, which is normally used to handle the excessive traffic during the December [[holiday shopping season]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Why attackers can't take down Amazon.com |url=http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/09/technology/amazon_wikileaks_attack/ |first=Julianne |last=Pepitone |work=CNNMoney.com |publisher=CNN.com |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2010-12-14}}</ref>-->
 
In late December, the FBI began to raid suspected participants in Operation Payback.<ref>{{cite web |title=FBI raids ISP in Anonymous DDoS investigation |url=http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9202838/FBI_raids_ISP_in_Anonymous_DDoS_investigation?taxonomyId=86 |first=Robert |last=McMillan |work=Computerworld.com |publisher=computerworld.com |date=2010-12-30 |access-date=2010-12-30}}</ref>
 
At the beginning of 2011, Operation Payback brought down [[Zimbabwe]]an government websites after the Zimbabwean [[Robert Mugabe|President's]] [[Grace Mugabe|wife]] sued a newspaper for $15 million for publishing a WikiLeaks cable that linked her with the alleged trade in [[Blood diamond|illicit diamonds]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/wikileaks-supporters-attack-zimbabwean-sites-20110102-19d1x.html|title=WikiLeaks supporters attack Zimbabwean sites|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2 January 2011 }}</ref> On January 27, 2011, five males aged between 15 and 26 were arrested in early morning raids in the U.K. on suspicion of involvement,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12299137|title=Five arrested over 'Anonymous' web attacks|date=27 January 2011|access-date=30 January 2011|work=BBC News}}</ref> and the FBI executed 40 search warrants the same day.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/us/28wiki.html?_r=1 |title=F.B.I. Warrants Into Service Attacks by WikiLeaks Supporters |date=2011-01-27 |last=Savage |first=Charlie |access-date=2011-01-30 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
 
==Criticism==
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==Tools and communication==
Operation Payback members used a modified version of the [[Low Orbit Ion Cannon]] (LOIC) to execute the DDoS attacks.<ref name="softpedia1">{{cite news |title=Anonymous DDoS Tool Gets Botnet Capabilities |first=Lucian |last=Constantin |newspaper=[[Softpedia]] |date=2010-09-27 |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Anonymous-DDoS-Tool-Gets-Botnet-Capabilities-158163.shtml |access-date=2010-10-22 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051237/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Anonymous-DDoS-Tool-Gets-Botnet-Capabilities-158163.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> In September 2010, a "Hive Mind" mode was added to the LOIC.<ref name="softpedia1"/> While in Hive Mind mode, the LOIC connects to [[Internet Relay Chat|IRC]], where it can be controlled remotely. This allows computers with LOIC installed on them to behave as if they were a part of a [[botnet]]. Utilising this tool, the coordinators of Operation Payback were able to quickly take down websites belonging to anti-piracy groups.<ref name="softpedia1"/> Botnets of all sizes have also been used.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pandalabs.pandasecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ScreenHunter_01-Sep.-17-13.07.jpg |title=Operation Payback flyer from mpaa.org attack |date=2010-09-17 |access-date=2010-10-29}}</ref>
 
Members of Operation Payback reportedly used an IRC channel to communicate about which targets to select, after which instructions for attacking the targets were produced and posted on various [[imageboards]] (4chan/7chan/711chan/420chan/808chan).<ref name="p2pnet">{{cite interview|subject=Anonymous |interviewer=Jon Newton |title=p2pnet talks with Operation Payback |url=http://www.p2pnet.net/story/45762 |type=Interview: Transcript |work=p2pnet.net |date=2010-11-18 |access-date=2010-12-23}}</ref> Media such as [[Twitter]] and [[Facebook]] were also utilized for coordination,<ref name="p2pnet"/> but on December 8, 2010, Operation Payback's Facebook page was removed and its official Twitter account was suspended.<ref name="visa">{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20025075-281.html |title=Facebook, Twitter boot WikiLeaks supporters after Visa attack |first=Elinor |last=Mills |date=2010-12-08 |access-date=2010-12-09 |publisher=Cnet |work=news.cnet.com |archive-date=2011-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008134410/http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20025075-281.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heise.de/tp/blogs/6/148908 |title=Facebook und Twitter gegen "Operation Payback" |first=Florian |last=Rötzer |date=2010-12-08 |access-date=2010-12-08 |work=heise.de |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://blogs.forbes.com/mikeisaac/2010/12/08/facebook-and-twitter-suspend-operation-payback-accounts/ |title=Facebook and Twitter Suspend Operation Payback Accounts |first=Mike |last=Isaac |date=2010-12-08 |access-date=2010-12-09 |work=[[Forbes]]}}<!-- Do not remove this source, it has the most complete information and its supported by primary sources --></ref> Additionally a federal court order forced [[Encyclopedia Dramatica]] to delete its Operation Payback article, which featured a detailed history of the operation, including personal information of some individuals associated with the companies attacked .<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gawker.com/5709789/noose-closes-around-pro+wikileaks-vigilantes |title=Noose Closes Around Pro-WikiLeaks Vigilantes |first=Ryan |last=Tate |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2010-12-09 |work=gawker.com |publisher=[[Valleywag]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812065510/http://gawker.com/5709789/noose-closes-around-pro+wikileaks-vigilantes |archive-date=2011-08-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Anonymous keeps the cannons firing while pressure mounts |first=Steve |last=Ragan |url=http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/201049/6530/Anonymous-keeps-the-cannons-firing-while-pressure-mounts?page=1 |newspaper=The Tech Herald |page=1 |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2010-12-23 |archive-date=2011-11-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102204510/http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/201049/6530/Anonymous-keeps-the-cannons-firing-while-pressure-mounts?page=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=WikiLeaks cables: Shell, Operation Payback and Assange for the Nobel prize - as it happened |first1=Matthew |last1=Weaver |first2=Mark |last2=Tran |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2010/dec/09/wikileaks-us-embassy-cables-live-updates |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2010-12-23 |location=London}}</ref>
 
== Federal indictment ==
In July 2011, 14 members of Operation Avenge Assange were arrested.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-07-27 |title=Anonymous, LulzSec Hacking Groups Call for PayPal Boycott |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna43913282 |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> In October 2013, 13 members of Operation Payback were indicted in Federal court in [[Alexandria, Virginia]] as co-conspirators in violation of [[Conspiracy against the United States|18 U.S.C. § 371]] and [[18 U.S.C. § 1030]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/173135553/Collins-Indictment|title=Collins_Indictment {{!}} Denial Of Service Attack {{!}} Wiki Leaks|website=Scribd|language=en|access-date=2018-07-21}}</ref> In 2014, some of the members received a plea deal, reducing their felony charges to a single misdemeanor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-anonymous-cybercrime-plea/anonymous-hackers-plead-guilty-to-minor-charge-in-u-s-for-cyberattacks-idUSKBN0GJ25720140819|title='Anonymous' hackers plead guilty to minor charge in U.S. for ...|last=Viswanatha|first=Aruna|work=U.S.|access-date=2018-07-21|language=en-US}}</ref> The defendants were penalized with jail sentences, and one defendant with community service.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-01-24|title=ANONYMOUS DDoS Attack Felony DISMISSED, No Jail Time Ordered on Misdemeanor Charge of Conspiracy to Intentionally Cause Damage to a Protected Computer|url=https://medvinlaw.com/anonymous-ddos-attack-conspiracy-to-intentionally-cause-damage-to-a-protected-computer/|access-date=2021-07-07|website=MEDVIN LAW|language=en-US}}</ref>
 
==See also==