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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.  

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 Desu.

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 ==

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 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 Desu.  

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 ==

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, 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 Desu.[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 ==

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.

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 Desu.'  

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.'  

== Operation Payback ==

== Operation Payback ==

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. Also dongs.

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 issued a declaration of war against the group Anonymous. WBC claimed that Anonymous had threatened to start a war with their website and church. Despite this going against both Rule 14 of the Internet (Do not feed the trolls) and the principle belief of Freedom of Speech, a member of Anonymous called Topiary agreed to speak on the David Pakman Show on February 24[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZJwSjor4hM].  

On February 16, 2011, the Westboro Baptist Church issued a declaration of war against the group Anonymous. WBC claimed that Anonymous had threatened to start a war with their website and church. Despite this going against both Rule 14 of the Internet (Do not feed the trolls) and the principle belief of Freedom of Speech, a member of Anonymous called Topiary agreed to speak on the David Pakman Show on February 24[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZJwSjor4hM].  

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 Desu.

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.

 

== Anonymous and the Arab Spring ==

== Anonymous and the Arab Spring ==