Hacktivist group Anonymous declared a cyberwar on ISIS, vowing to track and shut down ISIS-related social media accounts to hinder the militant group's online propaganda. However, this could make it difficult for intelligence agencies to track down terror groups online.
Anonymous, an anti-terror online campaign, declared a cyberwar against extremist group ISIS in light of the recent deadly terror attacks in Paris. The hacktivist group posted on Twitter: "Anonymous is at war with #Daesh" (with Daesh being the real name of ISIS) according to Live Trading News.
Anonymous began its anti-ISIS operation by first taking down over 6,000 ISIS-related Twitter accounts and websites. This step is necessary to hinder the ISIS' online propaganda by which it recruits its members. With the hashtags #TangoDown, #OpParis, and #OpISIS, Anonymous is leaking information to the world about suspected ISIS members.
The anti-terror group is even encouraging people to join in its efforts. Anonymous published three guides to get people to join the anti-ISIS cyberwar campaign as per a report by International Business Times. "Your contribution means a lot and we encourage you to partake in all of the Op's activities if you can, the more the merrier."
The NoobGuide teaches anyone how to hack, the Reporter guide details how to find ISIS Twitter accounts, and the Searcher guide can be used to find ISIS websites. There are also instructions on how to launch cyberattacks like distributed denial of service (DDoS) and man in the middle (MITM) attacks on ISIS sites. Links to sites that contain tools and instruction notes for the attacks are included in the guides.
However, The Verge reported that Anonymous' goal of taking down ISIS online accounts contradicts intelligence agencies' goal of using online accounts to find and monitor terror groups. It was reported that shutting down accounts could make it harder to track the movements of terrorists. Intelligence firm Ghost Security Group explained that social media and online platforms are important in collecting data and gaining access to enemy communications.
Those who would like to support the cause of Anonymous are encouraged to follow the campaign's Twitter account. Anonymous fans can also show their support to the group by wearing its trademark Guy Fawkes mask.
ISIS responded to Anonymous' cyber threats, calling them "idiots". ISIS declared that Anonymous will have minimal impact on the terror group's online operations. ISIS is the first terrorist organization to masterfully use social media to spread its message and recruit members.
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