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Anonymous 'Operation Payback' hackers convicted for costly DDoS attacks

Anonymous 'Operation Payback' hackers convicted for costly DDoS attacks

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Four Anonymous hacktivists have been convicted of conspiracy for DDoS attacks that cost major banks and the British music industry £3.5 million ($5.6 million). Christopher Weatherhead was found guilty today by the Crown Prosecution Service, following guilty pleas from Jake Birchall, Ashley Rhodes, and Peter Gibson earlier this year. As part of "Operation Payback," the four led DDoS attacks against PayPal, Master Card, and Visa for stopping the processing of Wikileaks donations as well as the British Recorded Music Industry, Ministry of Sound, and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry for their actions against internet piracy. This certainly isn't the first time Anonymous and LulzSec hackers have been convicted, and likely won't be the last as the legal system catches up with the organization's high profile hacks from the past year. The conviction may result in jail time, fines, or both for the guilty parties, which the court will determine during sentencing hearings in January.