Jul 27, 2011 11:20 GMT  ·  By

Anonymous and its LulzSec appendage have declared war on PayPal and urge people to close their accounts with the online payment service as soon as possible.

In a joint communiqué posted online, the hacktivists condemn the recent arrest of its supporters and reiterate their opinion that LOIC-powered DDoS attacks are the digital equivalent of real-world sit-ins.

"What the FBI needs to learn is that there is a vast difference between adding one's voice to a chorus and digital sit-in with Low Orbit Ion Cannon, and controlling a large botnet of infected computers. And yet both of these are punishable with exactly the same fine and sentence," the groups write.

Because DDoS attacks against PayPal are at the center of FBI's investigation into Anonymous and because the company continues to withhold funds belonging to WikiLeaks, the hacktivists have launched a campaign against the online payment service provider.

"We encourage anyone using PayPal to immediately close their accounts and consider an alternative. The first step to being truly free is not putting one's trust into a company that freezes accounts when it feels like, or when it is pressured by the U.S. government," the hacktivists write.

The #OpPaypal hashtag has been actively circulated on Twitter and some users replied with screenshots of their closed PayPal accounts, however, the hacktivists might have more in mind than just relying on people's activist spirit.

After all, Visa and MasterCard blocked WikiLeaks' ability to receive donations so, theoretically, should be in the same boat with PayPal. But not doing business with PayPal, Visa and MasterCard might prove very inconvenient considering the widespread use of their services.

In a separate announcement, LulzSec suggests that a PayPal data breach is being prepared. Such threats should be taken very seriously because the group proved in the past that it has no problem with exposing innocent people's accounts.

"We've set our LulzCannon's sights on the smarmy pirates of PayPal and will take no prisoners. They have not kept their most important booty safe. We find this very troubling, as it is not even their booty! Take this as a warning from your friendly LulzBoat captain. Wise little LulzLizards should withdraw their funds from PayPal before we do," the hackers write.