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Anonymous is the name given to the loose collective of online patriots (or hacktivists) who carry out attacks on various websites, usually resulting in lulz.

Anonymous is the name given to the loose collective of online terrorists (described by supporters as hacktivists) who carry out attacks on various websites, usually employing various forms of [[network abuse]].

The group gained notoriety in recent years with its participation in Operation Payback, which included a series of actions in defence of whistle-blowing organisation Wikileaks and its founder Julian Assange, Operation Sony and from Westboro Baptist Church's declaration of war on Anonymous.

The group gained notoriety in recent years with its participation in Operation Payback, which included a series of actions in defence of whistle-blowing organisation Wikileaks and its figurehead Julian Assange, Operation Sony and from Westboro Baptist Church's declaration of war on Anonymous.

== History ==

== History ==

The use of the 'Anonymous' collective name to describe internet vandalism dates to 2003 (it has no official founders or membership so dating it's founding is difficult) on various image boards on the Internet, the most famously attributed of which is 4chan.  

The use of the 'Anonymous' collective name to describe internet vandalism dates to 2003 (it has no official founders or membership so dating it's founding is difficult) on various image boards on the Internet, the most famously attributed of which is 4chan.  

In its early days its focus was focused on trolling various websites<ref>http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=459214</ref>, usually by including offensive or inappropriate material on the websites of groups with whom they disagree.

In its early days its focus was focused on 'trolling' various websites<ref>http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=459214</ref>, usually by including offensive or inappropriate material on the websites of groups with whom they disagree.

In 2008, in response to a Tom Cruise video <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCHkHZIyrdo</ref>, Anonymous became more homogeneous in it's opposition to the Church of Scientology <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCbKv9yiLiQ</ref>. Known as Operation Chanology, it included Denial-of-Service attacks, real life protests and mass publication and spread of information usually withheld by members of the church.

In 2008, in response to a Tom Cruise video <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCHkHZIyrdo</ref>, Anonymous became more homogeneous in it's opposition to the Church of Scientology <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCbKv9yiLiQ</ref>. Known as Operation Chanology, it included Denial-of-Service attacks, real life protests and mass publication and spread of information usually withheld by members of the church.

In 2010 it rose to fame due to Anonymous' actions against those who opposed copyright violation. Operation Payback was initially about using network abuse in an attempt to intimidate fascist corporations, and later became involved with the support of Wikileaks and Julian Assange.  

In 2010 it rose to notoriety due to Anonymous' actions against those who opposed copyright violation. Operation Payback was initially about using network abuse in a vain attempt to intimidate large corporations, and later became involved with the support of Wikileaks and Julian Assange.  

== Beliefs ==

== Beliefs ==

== Operation Chanology ==

== Operation Chanology ==

In 2008, after a video of Tom Cruise talking about Scientology was leaked onto YouTube, Anonymous declared its destruction of the Church of Scientology (Co$). Due to the Co$'s belief in suppressing information, suppressing it's members, spreading misinformation and abusing taxation laws to remain tax free.

In 2008, after a video of Tom Cruise talking about Scientology was leaked onto YouTube, Anonymous declared its 'destruction' of the Church of Scientology (CoS). Due to the CoS's belief in suppressing information, suppressing it's members, spreading misinformation and abusing taxation laws to remain tax free.

There was also considerable opposition to the core practise in Scientology of having to hand over a significant fortune[http://altreligion.about.com/od/controversymisconception/a/scientology_cos.htm] to be shown what the Scientology believes, which is strongly opposed by the ideal that 'Knowledge is Free.'  

There was also considerable opposition to the core practise in Scientology of having to hand over a significant fortune[http://altreligion.about.com/od/controversymisconception/a/scientology_cos.htm] to be shown what the Scientology believes, which is strongly opposed by the ideal that 'Knowledge is Free.'  

On the show Anonymous explained that it initially had no interest in WBC because it considered them unimportant and trolls but after being harassed on the show the group replaced their sites with a message explaining their lack of interest.

On the show Anonymous explained that it initially had no interest in WBC because it considered them unimportant and trolls but after being harassed on the show the group replaced their sites with a message explaining their lack of interest.

== 'Terrorists in my anonomyous' ==

== Cyber 'Terrorists' ==

NATO recently classified the actions of anyone participating in civil disobedience online as 'Terrorists.' The ruling is currently inapplicable as it includes those who join Facebook groups supporting Activism and because the current wording implies that NATO is to be acting as 'thought police.'  

NATO recently classified the actions of anyone participating in civil disobedience online as 'Terrorists.' The ruling is currently inapplicable as it includes those who join Facebook groups supporting Activism and because the current wording implies that NATO is to be acting as 'thought police.'  

It also sparked controversy among the public, as non-Anons began to show opposition to this ruling as it is was over encompassing and too widespread.

It also sparked controversy among the public, as non-Anons began to show opposition to this ruling as it is was over encompassing and too widespread.