Hackers have the urge to use computer technology in ways that were not intended by mainstream society, typically to show flaws in the technology and to make life a bit more difficult for the establishment producers and users of this new technology. "Hacktivists" engage in the same type of activity as hackers, i.e., breaking into and disrupting the computer systems of organizations and individuals, but in order to cripple the institutions and organizations they deem to be corrupt. Whereas, political protesters have traditionally made their messages heard through public protests targeted toward organizations and institutions whose activities they oppose. Hacktivists aim to disrupt the computer systems of these organizations so as to undermine their work. Hacktivists remain true to the hacker ethic of using the communication and media channels of the establishment against itself; however, they target their efforts toward specific institutions whose activities they deem to be detrimental to the groups they represent or to society as a whole. 10 notes and 19 references