Cyberattacks popular way to conduct social protest

[Commentary] "Hacktivism" is fast becoming the new normal of social protests, an information-age reality likely to continually trip up local government agencies.

Cyberattacks of all types are on the rise, as hackers snatch sensitive information or impede information systems in acts of espionage, theft, cyber warfare or, increasingly, public demonstrations. Government departments often don't have the staffing, expertise or funding to realistically combat the threats, experts say. "Not just government, but many smaller organizations are outmatched when it comes to a determined hacker," said Matt Pauker, co-founder of Voltage Security in Cupertino. "In the current situation we're in, with government spending being cut back across the board, these kind of attacks are something unfortunately that I think we'll see more of, not less."