Who is Anonymous - an explanation
The Anonymous organization keeps drawing attention to itself, but very few people know who it is and what exactly is behind it. We clarify it.
Anonymous: Who or what is it?
- Anonymous is often referred to as a group or network of hackers. Anonymous sees itself as a rather loose network of hackers who mainly work for freedom of expression.
- Anonymous fights for its goals both online and offline. In the past, Anonymous has acted against organizations such as the NSA, the Ku Klux Klan, Scientology, and the Islamic State.
- In 2011 Anonymous launched a large campaign against child pornography with "Operation DarkNet". Numerous pedophiles have been found and reported online. The same thing happened in the same year to around 1, 000 members of the Ku Klux clan, which was considered to be very racist. The members usually remain unrecognized, but Anonymous posted the names and other personal information online.
- After the attacks in Paris in 2015, Anonymous declared digital war on the Islamic State. Among other things, accounts were hacked and Twitter accounts were deleted. Everything that happens digitally on the Internet can be attacked with the right means, which is exactly the advantage of Anonymous.
Knowledge is free. We are anonymous. We are many. We don't forgive anything. We don't forget anything. Count on us.
This is Anonymous's standard saying. It is mainly used in Anonymous's videos, which are used to address the public or opponents of their planned actions.
- Anonymous has no leader and no real hierarchy. Anyone who brings the technical possibilities with them can get involved. Communication takes place via encrypted chats or social networks.
- Anonymous was not actively founded, but was created several years ago on the Internet. Images and texts can be freely and anonymously shared and discussed on so-called image boards. Unregistered users are given the name "Anonymous". Hence the naming.
- Anonymous is known for the Guy Fawkes mask. This comes from the film "V for Vendetta" and is used in public demonstrations, often also by sympathizers of Anonymous, not necessarily by permanent members.