Anonymous. Online crusaders of good or faceless terrorists?

[Morningside]

SOPA and the closing of Megaupload some their attacks make me think 'yeah take that!' but what if they close or suspend something important?

It has also made me think about some of these so-called online security companies that look like script kiddies (I think thats the term) in the face of these people.

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Anonymous-Shuts-Dow...

[roachcoach]

I view them as a mood barometer in the internet world. Not much more than that.

[EDLT]

They also hacked PSN and stole everyone's account details. I don't think they have an agenda tbh.

[Regiment]

EDLT said:

They also hacked PSN and stole everyone's account details. I don't think they have an agenda tbh.

This, anonymous aren't some group that have a set goal generally, they do it for the Lolz.

[roachcoach]

Regiment said:

EDLT said:

They also hacked PSN and stole everyone's account details. I don't think they have an agenda tbh.

This, anonymous aren't some group that have a set goal generally, they do it for the Lolz.

Wasn't that lulzsec?

That's the trouble with splinter/swarm groups, it's hard to tell wtf is going on.

[Marf]

roachcoach said:

Wasn't that lulzsec?

Yes.

Ultimately though I think it is somewhat fruitless to try and discuss Anonymous as a single coherent entity. It is a stand alone complex.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_in_the_Shell_%2...

As such, I agree with this

roachcoach said:

I view them as a mood barometer in the internet world. Not much more than that.

That said, there are clearly some talented hackers working under the banner of Anon, and I've no doubt "they" will continue to take up causes and kick back at the system. I should imagine within 5 years, if not sooner, we'll see an Anonymous attack directed at a physical system rather than just taking down websites and pilfering data.

Edited by Marf on Tuesday 24th January 12:58

[JagLover]

I voted terrorists

"Do exactly as we say or we damage your website" seems to be their Modus Operandi

[roachcoach]

I'd say more recently it's "don't a ". At least as far as the more recent sudden, powerful collective actions have gone.

[KaraK]

I don't think they can be pigeonholed - some of their st has been just that but on occasions I've found myself agreeing with their actions.

[Tallbut Buxomly]

They are what is needed. No government should ever have control of the internet or its content which is in effect what sopa is meant to be in a way. People like anon are needed to keep the gov in their place.

[stargazer30]

we are annoymous
we are legion
we don't forgive
we don't forget
expect us :-)

Sorry you gotta love these guys. Anyone gets in the way of freedom of speech or the free internet and they stomp on them. Thanks to these guys we've seen Sonys CEO bow down low as an acceptance of there failure, the MPAA seniors make an utter fool of themselves to the point of risking a public inquiry on bribery. Sites like Wiki leaks being able to expose the governments wrong doing without getting shut down. Its all good.

The real irony is the internet started life as a US military experiment to ensure communication even with a damaged infa structure! "Shot myself in both feet"

[randlemarcus]

JagLover said:

I voted terrorists

"Do exactly as we say or we damage your website" seems to be their Modus Operandi

Ooh, are we discussing SOPA/MPAA or Anonymous here?

I'd vote bit of both.

[Halb]

JagLover said:

I voted terrorists

"Do exactly as we say or we damage your website" seems to be their Modus Operandi

Sounds like a government/SOPA

edit, too late!

[Marf]

They were knocking over Irish government servers last night and today

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-natio...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-1671...

[jmorgan]

Who voted for anon?

[Hoofy]

That's the thing. When they're fighting for something you believe in, they're heroes. When they're holding us to ransom, they're terrorists. In other words, "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter".

[Halb]

Marf said:

They were knocking over Irish government servers last night and today

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-natio...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-1671...

?

[Mojooo]

Hoofy said:

That's the thing. When they're fighting for something you believe in, they're heroes. When they're holding us to ransom, they're terrorists. In other words, "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter".

Bet the praise wouldn't be so good if they were fighting for a cause that PHers disagreed with!

[Dan_1981]

Obviously talented people some of them.

Would be very interesting to be able to do what they can do.

[Hoofy]

Mojooo said:

Hoofy said:

That's the thing. When they're fighting for something you believe in, they're heroes. When they're holding us to ransom, they're terrorists. In other words, "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter".

Bet the praise wouldn't be so good if they were fighting for a cause that PHers disagreed with!

Mmm. Wait til they hack climate change denier sites.