Understanding the Operations of Anonymous

Some groups harness the Internet for noble causes, while others exploit it for malicious purposes. Some boldly declare their online influence, claiming territories publicly—whether legally or unashamedly. Then, there are those like Anonymous.

Anonymous is a decentralized collective of tech-savvy individuals who occasionally unite for shared objectives, often as hacktivists. A hacktivist blends the roles of hacker and activist, using technological expertise to challenge censorship or social, political, and legal issues. Through these actions, a hacktivist aims to spotlight injustices and spark meaningful change.

Hacktivists frequently unite to seek revenge on their own terms, and Anonymous stands out as one of the most notable (or notorious) examples. The group may deface a well-known website, replacing its graphics and text with their own messages. Alternatively, they might launch DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks, flooding computer systems with traffic and rendering websites and networks entirely inaccessible.

These methods often prove effective. For years, Anonymous has managed to attract global attention for specific causes or, on occasion, simply for the thrill of it.

Take, for instance, this incident: In 2011, Sony filed a lawsuit against one of its customers, George Hotz, who had developed a workaround allowing PlayStation 3 users to run the Linux operating system. The issue arose because Sony had originally marketed Linux capability as a feature of the PS3 but later released a patch to disable it.

Sony's actions were so egregious to Anonymous that they retaliated by sabotaging Sony's PlayStation Network, the company’s online multiplayer service. For almost a month, users were unable to access the network, and Sony's stock price suffered significant damage.

Was Anonymous wrong to punish Sony? Or were these hackers simply taking justified revenge against a massive, litigious corporation that had turned on its own customers?

No matter which side you favor, Anonymous achieved its goal: gaining headlines. The sensational news reports following Anonymous's attacks often label Anons (a term for group members) as cyber-terrorists, vigilantes, or anarchists. Meanwhile, other outlets portray them as heroes, standing up against corruption and injustice in the only way they know how.

When enough members of Anonymous rally around a cause, both incredible and disastrous events unfold. Keep reading to discover more about this infamous hacktivist group, known for its dramatic slogan: "We are Anonymous. We are legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us!"

Advent of Anonymous

So what exactly is Anonymous? To clarify, Anonymous isn't a clearly defined group of hackers. It's not a clique of reclusive geeks lurking in their parents' basements nor a squad of highly trained, militant outlaws operating out of covert underground bunkers with advanced Internet access.

Depending on who you ask, Anonymous could be described as a digital consciousness, a global collective mind, a cultural phenomenon, a political and social movement, or just an online collective. In reality, it's all of these things. Anonymous is a vast community of people with varying technical skills, united by shared ideals. Like any subculture, it didn’t emerge overnight; rather, it evolved gradually over time.

It all began in 2003 on 4chan, a so-called image board—a type of online forum where users post images about any topic imaginable (including some you probably wish you hadn’t imagined). This is a place where people can share whatever they’re thinking, with little to no self-censorship, in part because users can post anonymously.

Since you're reading this on a family-friendly site, it's important to mention that 4chan is anything but family-friendly. In fact, that's exactly how the 4chan community prefers it. The often crude language, personal attacks, and rowdy atmosphere act as a sort of filter, keeping away large portions of the online population.

4chan is notorious for its obsession with lulz (a spin-off of LOL, meaning laugh out loud), which refers to the malicious, sometimes vengeful laughter that comes at someone else's expense. To get lulz, 4chan users will go to great lengths, from making harsh personal insults to orchestrating more elaborate schemes that might even involve hacking.

Usually, these pranks are fleeting, insignificant, and soon forgotten. In fact, the entire purpose is not to take anything too seriously.

However, as 4chan evolved, some users began to see the potential for larger, more elaborate schemes beyond simple, juvenile pranks. These individuals moved from the image board to IRC (Internet Relay Chat) systems, where they could communicate faster and share more detailed information.

It was in this environment that Anonymous started its gradual and often contentious rise. Many factions exist within Anonymous, each with their own causes, some of which gain attention and others that do not. However, there are several common threads. There are no leaders. While some may take on organizational roles, there is no formal structure. Everyone is treated as equal. Anyone anywhere can be Anonymous. To truly be part of Anonymous, you must take concrete, meaningful action to support a cause.

On the following page, you'll read about one of Anonymous's first major successes, which sparked both praise and criticism from people all over the world.

Project Chanology

Coordinated actions by Anonymous became known as ops (short for operations). Some ops fizzle out before they even manage to deface a website. Others, however, lead to massive online events that trigger real-world financial and political chaos, to the astonishment and satisfaction of millions.

Anonymous reached undeniable fame in 2008. That year, a controversial and unsettling video featuring Tom Cruise rambling about his Scientology beliefs was leaked online, causing outrage among church officials.

In response, the church attempted the impossible—removing the video from the Internet. This effort angered Anonymous, who viewed it as censorship. Anons were also critical of the church, seeing it as a money-driven cult.

Thus, Project Chanology was born. Anonymous united its collective resources with the goal of eradicating the church from the internet. True to their style, the group announced its intentions through a YouTube video.

The project kicked off with a DDoS attack that disrupted the church's website. Following that, prank phone calls and pizza orders sent to church offices worldwide became part of the chaos—anything to cause disruption. Naturally, these methods weren't exactly lawful, which only cemented Anonymous' reputation as outlaws and vigilantes.

A turning point came when Mark Bunker, a critic of Scientology who wasn't affiliated with Anonymous, urged the group to adopt non-destructive, legal methods to achieve their objectives.

Inspired by his advice, Anonymous shifted away from illegal tactics and began organizing mass protests outside churches, with thousands of protesters donning Guy Fawkes masks—symbols that became synonymous with the group. These masks, worn by the protagonist in the film 'V for Vendetta,' represent an anonymous hero standing up against corrupt authority.

As the Chanology campaign unfolded, it became increasingly evident that Anonymous was no longer just about juvenile pranks. The group was evolving, growing more serious, focused, and powerful in its actions.

After almost two years of sporadic pranks and hacks, Anons grew bored with Project Chanology and largely stopped their activities against the church. There were many other targets to focus on, and Anonymous was only beginning to get started.

Anthropology of Anonymous

You may wonder how a faceless, nameless group of digital activists with no clear affiliation can achieve anything. However, as many have realized, Anonymous uses its online influence to generate real-world impact. No entity is safe from an Anonymous attack. Governments, massive corporations, and hate groups have all felt the power of Anons working together in coordinated efforts.

For the oppressed, the unheard, and anyone who loves waving hand-painted protest signs, Anonymous represents a beacon in the dark, standing against what some view as a world controlled by the immoral rich and powerful. To their opponents, however, Anonymous is a group of anarchists or vigilantes, or perhaps just bored hackers with a penchant for destruction. To them, the collective is a looming threat, a digital beast waiting to unleash havoc when roused.

It can be difficult to define Anonymous as a traditional group, as there are no membership applications, initiation ceremonies, or official certifications confirming someone's status as Anonymous. But there are distinct behaviors, customs, and practices within the collective that set it apart.

Anonymous has created a unique set of social norms, habits, and language idiosyncrasies, much of which is recorded in the Encyclopedia Dramatica. This online archive serves as a crash course in the culture of Anonymous. However, be warned: if you decide to visit this site, it contains unfiltered content, including explicit language.

Though there is no formal code, the Encyclopedia Dramatica outlines several 'Rules of the Internet.' For example, Rule No. 12 states, 'Anything can and will be used against you.' Rule No. 33 urges, 'Lurk more, it's never enough.' Other rules serve as stark reminders that Anonymous is not always on a noble, idealistic mission. Rule No. 6, for instance, warns, 'Anonymous can be a horrible, senseless, uncaring monster.' Read on to learn more about this monstrous side when it's unleashed.

More Anonymous Operations

After growing tired of targeting Scientology, Anonymous set its sights on other groups. They launched an attack against the Westboro Baptist Church, a group often labeled as a hate organization, defacing its website and posting messages promoting tolerance and peace [Source: Vice].

Many members of Anonymous were aligned with the Occupy Wall Street movement, urging participants to maintain peaceful protests, sit-ins, and marches [Source: Guardian]. They also took on child pornography distributors, dismantling related websites and exposing the identities of those responsible for distributing illegal material [Source: Zdnet].

Anonymous has frequently targeted both government and corporate institutions. In one well-known incident, they retaliated after the government shut down Pirate Bay and Megaupload, websites that distribute media such as movies, music, and software. Their anger wasn't about the inability to download music for free; it was about the hypocrisy of government authorities using the same illegal DDoS tactics that hackers typically employ. However, those who carried out the attacks would likely never face criminal charges, unlike ordinary citizens. This irony fueled outrage within Anonymous. In retaliation, they hacked the websites of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, the Motion Picture Association of America, the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, and many others [Source: Forbes].

When the Arab Spring erupted in Tunisia, Anonymous quickly got involved, supporting protesters, coordinating communication, and hacking into Tunisian government websites to fuel the revolution's momentum [Source: Al Jazeera]. They continued their efforts in Egypt, Syria, and other countries where the uprisings spread [Source: NBC News].

In 2012, driven by outrage over the treatment of Palestinians, Anonymous launched attacks on various Israeli government sites, leaking passwords, private databases, and much more [Source: TNW]. The following year, when Indian authorities cracked down violently on protesters in Kashmir, Anonymous struck back by disabling Indian military and police websites [Source: Economic Times].

In August 2012, following the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in Steubenville, Ohio, and suspicion that local authorities were shielding the perpetrators, Anonymous, via an offshoot group called Knight Sec, took action to expose the truth. They leaked assault photos, a video of a man bragging about the crime, and published the names of those involved, including two star players from the local high school football team [Source: The Nation].

As demonstrated, Anonymous' reach is vast, and their operations leave a significant impact. On the next page, you'll learn more about how the group attracts members and forms a cohesive collective.

Inside Anonymous

The emblem of Anonymous often features a suited figure with a question mark for a face. But how do these faceless, nameless individuals come together to orchestrate intricate hacking operations and organize large-scale protests? How does one join Anonymous?

There are several open discussion forums where you can observe conversations, though they typically don’t reveal sensitive information. Stick around long enough, showcase your skills or useful knowledge, and you may eventually be invited to more exclusive groups. Once there, you might get the chance to join an Anonymous mission.

Of course, you'll never know exactly who you’re talking to. Anons keep their identities strictly anonymous. The more cautious Anons avoid using their personal devices, opting for public computers and tools that mask their whereabouts.

Despite these protective measures, Anons caution that the group’s actions aren’t for everyone, as engaging in DDoS or hacking can result in legal consequences. For those who prefer a safer route, they can still contribute by utilizing other talents such as research, video production, writing press releases, or offering insights on how to carry out operations effectively.

Although the members of Anonymous strive to remain hidden, the group itself is very open about its intentions. They almost always make their plans public before launching operations, showing their commitment to accountability and making it harder for others to falsely claim or blame Anonymous for actions it did not carry out.

Despite all the security measures, there are times when members of Anonymous are far from anonymous. Keep reading, and you'll find that the group doesn't always welcome the attention it gets from the media.

Anonymous Destiny

As you already know, Anons try their best to screen potential recruits. While private, invitation-only chats help filter out many of the impostors and stalkers, it doesn't always work as effectively as intended.

From time to time, authorities and adversaries of Anonymous manage to infiltrate the group, much to its dismay (or as they call it, the 'anti-lulz'). On rare occasions, prosecutors build strong cases that lead to convictions.

In 2012, in England, Ryan Cleary and Jake Davis were arrested for charges connected to computer hacking in the name of an Anonymous offshoot known as Lulz Security, or LulzSec. The two confessed to attacking systems belonging to the Pentagon, the U.S. Air Force, Nintendo, Sony, and the Arizona State Police, among others [source: The Guardian].

2012 saw a wave of arrests of Anonymous members across the globe. Most of the charges were related to website defacement, DDoS attacks, or the leaking of private data that had been stolen and shared with the public.

In short, authorities are taking groups like Anonymous very seriously. In early 2013, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder referred to groups affiliated with Anonymous as 'a steadily increasing threat to America's economy and national security interests' [source: CNET]. To combat this perceived threat, they vowed to prioritize cybercrime-related offenses and intensify prosecutions.

Many in the Anonymous community strongly disagreed with such statements. They argue that they aren't motivated by the desire for illicit financial gain or classified information. Instead, their goal is simply to expose the corruption and filth hiding in the dark corners of society.

Regardless of your stance on the methods and objectives of Anonymous, one thing is clear: this collective of hacktivists is here to stay. Each new exploit bolsters Anonymous's credibility, whether as a menace or as a hero. This increasing legitimacy confirms that Anons are a cultural force capable of influencing events.

When governments falter in their duties to their citizens and the media ignores their plight, Anonymous offers a ray of hope. For those unlucky enough to become targets of an Anonymous operation, their digital lives will be forever altered.