SHARE
Facebook X Pinterest WhatsApp

WikiLeaks Advocates Target MasterCard Website

Dec 8, 2010

Attackers hit the Website for MasterCard in an apparent cyber-retaliation for the company’s decision to stop processing donations to WikiLeaks.

MasterCard joined a growing list of companies targeted by

hacktivists associated with Anonymous, a loosely affiliated group tied

to the 4chan message board. The attack was confirmed in a tweet this

morning by user @Anon_Operation: “WE ARE GLAD TO TELL YOU THAT

http://www.mastercard.com/ is DOWN AND IT’S CONFIRMED! #ddos #wikileaks

Operation:Payback(is a b***h!) #PAYBACK.”

MasterCard has said it decided to cancel its business with WikiLeaks

because the company’s rules prohibit customers from directly or

indirectly engaging in or facilitating criminal behavior. The credit

card company has become the latest in a string of companies and

institutions being targeted in retaliation for recent actions against

the site.

On Dec. 7, attackers struck back at the Swedish prosecutor by launching a denial-of-service (DoS) attack on www.aklagare.se, making it impossible to access the site until recently. Swedish authorities pushed for the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who was taken into custody in the U.K. earlier this week on sexual assault charges.

For more, read the eWeek article WikiLeaks Supporters Attack MasterCard Website.

Recommended for you...

What do Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and IBM Have in Common? Tape Storage
Drew Robb
Aug 15, 2022
What Does Quantum Computing Mean for IT?
Devin Partida
Aug 11, 2022
Solving the Video Surveillance Retention Challenge 
Drew Robb
Jul 28, 2022
Top 6 IT Challenges in Healthcare
Lauren Hansen
Jun 21, 2022
CIO Insight Logo

CIO Insight offers thought leadership and best practices in the IT security and management industry while providing expert recommendations on software solutions for IT leaders. It is the trusted resource for security professionals who need to maintain regulatory compliance for their teams and organizations. CIO Insight is an ideal website for IT decision makers, systems integrators and administrators, and IT managers to stay informed about emerging technologies, software developments and trends in the IT security and management industry.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.