FROM PITCHFORKS TO LAPTOPS: VOLUNTEERS IN CYBER CONFLICTS

The capability and mandate for organized violence in the interna‑ tional setting has normally been the domain of nation‑states. Cyberspace however provides an international arena where almost anyone has the power to attack any target at will. While most of these attacks have little effect there is often little disincentive to using them as attribution of cyber attacks and effective punishment of attackers is still the exception instead of the norm. Thus 21st century farmers with pitchforks or cyber militia become more than a local force and if organized well enough can mount an offensive cyber cam‑ paign that affects a nation‑state on the other side of the planet. In order to test this claim I will consider the potential threat from the Internet users who are untrained in hacking techniques and who have very limited resources. In general there are two types of activities that are open to such persons: supporting the cyber campaign by providing resources cover and training (among other things and launching cyber attacks as part of the cy‑ ber campaign. It is important to note that an untrained individual is probably more useful when providing support to skilled attackers instead of actually participating in the cyber attacks. Based on the overview of the simple options that are available for a novice cyber attacker I will draw some conclusions on the actual threat posed by a (ad‑hoc cyber militia of amateurs.