What is Anonymous?
Surfacing in 2003, Anonymous is a hacker group, as well as an Internet meme, that has also been characterised as:
-
An Internet subculture
- A virtual community
- A hacker/cracker group
- A volunteer association
- An avatar
The group first came appeared on the site 4chan, which was originally a platform that was used by people to post images and discussions; however, due to anonymous posting became a linked to activism and Internet subcultures.
Commonly referred to as a group of hactivists, Anonymous members share a common activist style agenda, ideas, objectives, and causes. The group promotes:
-
Freedom of speech
- Anti-censorship
- Internet vigilantism
- Creating public awareness
- Protesting normalcy
- Internet activism
- Internet trolling
Anonymous includes extremists that use social issues to push their agenda; however, some could be the average computer enthusiasts that want to stand up for their freedom on the Web. Since the group is largely decentralized and spread out throughout the world, it is difficult for authorities to gather information on. Unlike many causes, there is no official Website that is online for the public to gather information, learn about the cause, and become members, leading to much speculation.
Since the group has gained notoriety within the media and public eye, copycats and other hackers have come forwards claiming to be associated with the group.
Website associated with Anonymous
There are a number of Websites that are associated with the group, but most are unknown and unwilling to let their connection be known to the public. Some known associations with Anonymous include:
-
4Chan and their wikis
- Encyclopaedia Dramatica
- Many popular online forums
Events that are linked to Anonymous
While the group started out as a dispersed community acting in coordination with each other toward common objectives, since 2008 they have become focused on hacking-related activity as protest and response to anti-piracy and online freedom issues. The group has been linked to:
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Habbo raids
- Chris Forcand arrest
- Project Chanology
- The defacing of the All Hip Hop Website
- 2009 Iran election protests
- Operation Titstorm
- Operation Payback
- Avenge Assange
- Operation Sony
- Operation Facebook
- The attack on the Vatican website
- And many other attacks since 2006
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