Changes

Anonymous is the name given to a online group (described by supporters as hacktivists, opponents as terrorists) who carry out attacks on various websites, usually employing various forms of [[network abuse]], amongst other not as notable activities.

Anonymous is the name given to a online group (described by supporters as hacktivists, opponents as terrorists) who carry out attacks on various websites, usually employing various forms of [[network abuse]], amongst other general Internet activities.  

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

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

== History ==

== History ==

The use of the 'Anonymous' collective name to describe the source of activities/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 the source of activities 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.

As Anonymous is a collective, rather than a group, it has no official beliefs and ideals. This has begun to change in last year due to a cell within Anonymous, called AnonOps, carrying out a lot of the operations, but as a collective they are still loosely defined. Many members of anonymous will reject any such group attempting to be more identifiable in the general body.

As Anonymous is a collective, rather than a group, it has no official beliefs and ideals. This has begun to change in last year due to a cell within Anonymous, called AnonOps, carrying out a lot of the operations, but as a collective they are still loosely defined. Many members of anonymous will reject any such group attempting to be more identifiable in the general body.

However, Anonymous is known for it's support of Freedom of Information, Freedom of Speech, Personal Freedom, Transparency within the Government and Universal Access to Human Rights.[http://anonyops.com/Whoarewe.htm]

However, Anonymous, atleast certain segments, is known for it's support of Freedom of Information, Freedom of Speech, Personal Freedom, Transparency within the Government and Universal Access to Human Rights.[http://anonyops.com/Whoarewe.htm]

== Operation Chanology ==

== Operation Chanology ==