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The use of the "Anonymous" collective name to describe the source of activities dates to 2003, 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, on various image boards on the Internet, the most famously attributed of which is 4chan.  

In its early days its focus was focused on "[[Internet trolling|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 "[[Internet trolling|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 its 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 its 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 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.

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.

In 2008, after a video of Tom Cruise talking about Scientology was leaked onto [[YouTube]], Anonymous declared Project Chanology (also known as Operation: Chanology), a crusade by Anonymous to "destroy" the Church of Scientology (CoS) as it exists today. This prolonged campaign was initiated due to the CoS'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 Project Chanology (also known as Operation: Chanology), a crusade by Anonymous to "destroy" the Church of Scientology (CoS) as it exists today. This prolonged campaign was initiated 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 practice 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 practice 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".

It should be noted that, while Project Chanology/Operation: Chanology has been a more organized form of protest than most Anonymous attacks, and physical protests against Scientology have been organized, there are still Anonymous who believe that spreading generally inappropriate havoc "for the lulz" is still the best way to carry out Operation: Chanology. At least one Anonymous has covered himself in vaseline and toenail clippings and walked out in public with this mixture coating his skin as a form of Operation: Chanology-linked protest.

It should be noted that, while Project Chanology/Operation: Chanology has been a more organized form of protest than most Anonymous attacks, and physical protests against Scientology have been organized, there are still Anonymous who believe that spreading generally inappropriate havoc "for the lulz" is still the best way to carry out Operation: Chanology. At least one Anonymous has covered himself in vaseline and toenail clippings and walked out in public with this mixture coating his skin as a form of Operation: Chanology-linked protest.

The attacks received from criticism from the Pirate Party UK and the United States Pirate Party due to their support for a democratic opposition.[http://news.softpedia.com/news/Pirate-Parties-Ask-Anonymous-to-End-DDoS-Campaign-168050.shtml][http://news.softpedia.com/news/Anonymous-to-Pirate-Parties-We-Won-t-Stop-168306.shtml]

The attacks received from criticism from the Pirate Party UK and the United States Pirate Party due to their support for a democratic opposition.[http://news.softpedia.com/news/Pirate-Parties-Ask-Anonymous-to-End-DDoS-Campaign-168050.shtml][http://news.softpedia.com/news/Anonymous-to-Pirate-Parties-We-Won-t-Stop-168306.shtml]

After Wikileaks released the secret cables many of those who opposed Wikileaks, or retracted their affiliation[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8190541/WikiLeaks-cyberwar-on-Visa-and-MasterCard-disrupts-Christmas-shopping-in-Operation-Payback.html] due to government pressure, became the next targets. The concept of Freedom of Information was supported by Wikileaks so those who opposed the group became targets, but also those who were pressured into retracting by government forces (the US government was blamed significantly for this) opened up a knowledge of a corruption within these governments, due to their intervention in private business.

After Wikileaks released the secret cables many of those who opposed Wikileaks, or retracted their affiliation [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8190541/WikiLeaks-cyberwar-on-Visa-and-MasterCard-disrupts-Christmas-shopping-in-Operation-Payback.html] due to government pressure, became the next targets. The concept of Freedom of Information was supported by Wikileaks so those who opposed the group became targets, but also those who were pressured into retracting by government forces (the US government was blamed significantly for this) opened up a knowledge of a corruption within these governments, due to their intervention in private business.

These Operation also spun Operation Avenge Assange[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/06/anonymous_launches_pro_wikileaks_campaign/], an operation against those who targeted and victimised Julian Assange after the cable leaks.

These Operation also spun Operation Avenge Assange [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/06/anonymous_launches_pro_wikileaks_campaign/], an operation against those who targeted and victimised Julian Assange after the cable leaks.

== Westboro Baptist Church ==

== Westboro Baptist Church ==

On February 16, 2011, the [[Westboro Baptist Church]] (WBC) issued a declaration of war against the group Anonymous. WBC claimed that Anonymous had threatened to start a war with their website and church. This caused much disquiet by antagonizing the trolls, and the violation of the idea of Freedom of Speech, a member of Anonymous called Topiary agreed to speak on the David Pakman Show on February 24<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZJwSjor4hM]</ref>.

On February 16, 2011, the [[Westboro Baptist Church]] (WBC) issued a declaration of war against the group Anonymous. WBC claimed that Anonymous had threatened to start a war with their website and church. This caused much disquiet by antagonizing the trolls, and the violation of the idea of Freedom of Speech, a member of Anonymous called Topiary agreed to speak on the David Pakman Show on February 24.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZJwSjor4hM]</ref>  

On the show Anonymous explained that it initially had no interest in WBC because it considered them unimportant trolls, but after being harassed on the show, the group replaced their WBC's websites with a message explaining their lack of interest.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2011/02/25/westboro_baptist_church_anonymous_website/|title=Anonymous shuts down Westboro Baptist Church site — during a live interview|work=Salon|first=Adam Clark|last=Estes|date=February 25, 2011|accessdate=October 19, 2012}}</ref>

On the show Anonymous explained that it initially had no interest in WBC because it considered them unimportant trolls, but after being harassed on the show, the group replaced their WBC's websites with a message explaining their lack of interest.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2011/02/25/westboro_baptist_church_anonymous_website/|title=Anonymous shuts down Westboro Baptist Church site — during a live interview|work=Salon|first=Adam Clark|last=Estes|date=February 25, 2011|accessdate=October 19, 2012}}</ref>

== Anonymous and the Arab Spring ==

== Anonymous and the Arab Spring ==

During the [[Arab Spring]], Anonymous members were supporting the islamists and Leftists in many countries.

During the [[Arab Spring]], Anonymous members were supporting the islamists and Leftists in many countries.

They initiated 2 operations: Operation [[Egypt]] and Operation [[Tunisia]] which consisted in series of attacks on governmental websites. They also lead some actions against [[Libya]] and recently against  the [[Syria | Syrian]] Defense Ministry.

They initiated 2 operations: Operation [[Egypt]] and Operation [[Tunisia]] which consisted in series of attacks on governmental websites. They also lead some actions against [[Libya]] and recently against  the [[Syria]]n Defense Ministry.

== Antisemitism ==

== Antisemitism ==

In public, members of Anonymous usually wear [[Guy Fawkes]] masks, made famous by the comic and movie ''[[V for Vendetta]]''.

In public, members of Anonymous usually wear [[Guy Fawkes]] masks, made famous by the comic and movie ''[[V for Vendetta]]''.

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Nom de plume]] or [[Pen name]]

* [[Nom de plume]] or [[Pen name]]

* [[Internet anonymity]]

* [[Internet anonymity]]