Anonymous- How They Work Against ISIS

What is Anonymous?
Anonymous is a weak-tied group, consisting of internet activists with international connections who execute different cyber-attacks. As far as it is known, Anonymous is internet based, and consists of an unknown number of hackers. The organization is actively involved in demonstrations. The network also participates in activism and other sanctions.
How does Anonymous Network?
Network is defined as a group or system of interconnected people or things. The online hacking group Anonymous would be considered a network, based on the fact that there is no central leadership that makes the decisions on behalf of the network, which can create a disorganized situation. Networks can also become ineffective, because they have no unanimous goal, leaving them as a group of individualists. This is evidenced by the various Twitter accounts that are associated with Anonymous. There are multiple accounts named something related with the group Anonymous. There is not an account that associates itself with Anonymous that is seen as the “leader” or “spokesperson”. They are aware of the advanced weapon social media has proven to be, as a communication medium for spreading their ideas of terror among young people. Anonymous wants more people to get involved, by publishing a beginner’s guide to hack or make a difference on the web. In response to Anonymous’ work against ISIS, ISIS has released instructions to their followers on how to avoid being shut down by the hacking group. One of the ways that ISIS has shown to get around the shutting down of social media accounts are moving websites into the “dark web”, where they are less likely to be discovered. In the scope of social media, many of the Twitter accounts that have begun to associate themselves with the hacking movement. This explosion of new Twitter accounts creates a chaotic situation for Anonymous. The accounts associated with Anonymous are accusing each other of being unreliable and fake. An large number of people are looking for online attention when they join the Anonymous movement, rather than join the cyber fight against ISIS using Anonymous’ tactics.The issue that this organization faces is with their lack of leadership, because networks are often described as being “messy”.
Anonymous' Work Against ISIS
Following ISIS’s attacks on Paris on November 13, 2015, the online hacking group Anonymous launched a social media campaign entitled #OpParis. In a YouTube video called “Anonymous - Operation Paris Continues #OpParis”, they announce that they have taken down over 20,000 Twitter accounts belonging to IS members and they will continue hunting down IS on the internet. In the description of the video the uploader states the following, “ISIS; we will hunt you, Take down your sites, Accounts, Emails, and expose you...From now on, no safe place for you online...You will be treated like a virus, and we are the cure”. This message was also featured in the video. The organization targets accounts that they suspect sympathize with ISIS, or those that appear to have any involvement with ISIS. Furthermore, Anonymous posted information about 11,000 suspected jihadist Twitter accounts, which caused them to be shut down as well.
Works Cited

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