A Look at the Anonymous Group Emerging Around the World
How Some Anonymous Groups Affect the World Around Them in a Negative Way
As a group, Wikipedia describes Anonymous as a group of activists that often use hacking as their method of conveying their concerns. A recent Anonymous situation arose in Egypt when a group of hackers targeted Egyptian government websites, including Egypt's cabinet, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The group used a software package that caused a denial of service to the administration's websites. What was Anonymous' reasoning? Part of their concern was that officials in Cairo blocked domestic use of Twitter. Did this justify the hacking that ensued? Somehow I doubt that blocking a government's website is going to encourage a more open use of the Internet. In fact, it probably will cause even more tightening down of the Internet to Egypt's citizens.
A similar group claiming to be part of Anonymous was recently arrested in Great Britain, also for using a distributed denial of service program (DDoS). They were in support of WikiLeaks and tried to push the issue. However, Great Britain, the EU, and the United States collaborated to arrest the culprits who aged between 15 and 26.
The Anonymous group has also targeted the Church of Scientology. They have posted videos against the organization on YouTube and have organized waves of protests in various locations mostly since 2008. The Anonymous attacks against the church have varied. One attack in particular took place in January, 2009. Anonymous issued a contest offering up to $1000 for those who pulled legal pranks on the Church of Scientology and then posted their entries on their website. The title of the competition was, "Scientology Sucks: A Contest."
These sorts of shenanigans seem to not resemble coordinated statements of conviction, however, and instead acting like of a pointless set of teenage pranks. Their efforts are often destructive in nature at their core and disruptive to say the least. Without care, this corp of underground hackers could start major problems around the world. Government officials should take care to monitor the Anonymous group and protect access to the Internet in the process.
What do you think of this Anonymous group's endeavors? Do you believe activists should block websites to prove their points? Please comment below.
Sources:
Wikipedia
esecurityplanet.com
Tweets on Tech
Published by Kristen Wilkerson
I am a reflective individual who enjoys learning and helping people. I have a Masters in Education, specializing in Curriculum and Instruction. Also I have a Bachelor s degree in Mathematics and Computer Sc... View profile
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28 Comments
Post a CommentThis article seems very misinformed regarding your personal statements, and the group Anonymous being pranksters with no clear plan of action in their disagreements with modern situations. How have statements been made clear by trying to use the media as it is? No true voice of change has been given it's due course when it is silenced by corruption.
Anonymous is not a group of disenfranchised youngsters. They are people like yourself but have taken to a voice that is being heard. I fully support the actions of Anonymous. They are people for us, not against us. Their actions have caused no harm to individuals, or even to companies as a whole. They could do a lot more and sink to the levels of the DOD, or the CIA and plant virus programs into Nuclear Reactor programming. Ddos programming is a very weak attack against a system unless you want the target censored like which was done against Wikileaks by the DOD after the US Embassy files were released.
Anonymous is not your enemy.
Interesting topic, Kristen. I worry about some governments closing their eyes on some operating from their soil and trying to bring down internet services in other countries. There should be clear guidelines to prevent all anonymous groups working to destroy what others have struggled to build and thereby create mayhem. Hacking should be a no-go. There should be minimum standards and understanding between all countries. Why be anonymous at all and hide behind a veil if they have valid points to get across? - siva
Interesting.
Hadn't heard of this Anonymous group. It's fascinating what some people will do to make a point.
This is an interesting topic. Thanks for the education.
Anonymous are probably paid govt. provocateurs. Just look at how the Govt. conducts wars in other places - play two or three or more existing factions against each other. Same thing here - only in cyberspace. Excellent article!
Interesting.
excellent :)
Most interesting!
good work