LulzSec (short for Lulz Security) is a computer hacker group whose profile has been raised somewhat lately. The group claims to be responsible for several recent newsworthy attacks, including one that risked 1,000,000 Sony user accounts earlier this year (though only 37,500 were actually affected, according to Sony.) The group is also notorious for the tongue-in-cheek messages it has posted in the aftermath of its attacks.

The group goes by the motto “Laughing at your security since 2011!” and its Web site plays the theme from the 70s television show The Love Boat. (The Wall Street Journal has written that the group's “attacks” are more in line with “Internet pranks” rather than serious cyber-warfare, as offered by the Anonymous hacker group.)

The group often announces its exploits via Twitter, and posts information regarding hacks on and its own Web site, sometimes accompanied with lighthearted ASCII-based boat designs. The group's Web site also accepts Bitcoin (digital currency) donation to help fund its hacking activities.

Now, LulzSec (the name is derived from the modern method of writing “LOLs”) has decided that it will poll its “fans” to find worthy targets of attacks.

“Now accepting calls from true lulz fans – let's all laugh together at butthurt gamers. 614-LULZSEC, accepting as many as we can, let's roll,” said the hacker group in a tweet yesterday.

PC Mag is reporting (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2386959,00.asp) that LulzSec said it had 5,000 missed calls and 2,500 voicemails yesterday, a day it dubbed #TitanicTakeoverTuesday. Yesterday, the group's targets included Escapist Magazine, Eve Online, Minecraft, League of Legends, and eight call-in requests. Today (Wednesday) it claims to have taken out the login server for Heroes of Newerth, said PC Mag.

Internet security firm Sophos has polled its own readers asking whether readers were amused or disgusted by LulzSec's antics. Results were about evenly split.

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