We Are Anonymous

1. Aaron Barr's Hubris Ignites Anonymous's Wrath

Barr figured if the collective turned on him, the worst they could do was take down the website of HBGary Federal for a few hours—a couple of days, tops.

Overconfident target. Aaron Barr, a digital security executive, sought to gain credibility and contracts by publicly claiming he had identified Anonymous leaders through social media snooping. He underestimated the collective's response, believing a simple website takedown was the worst outcome. His public statements in the Financial Times, particularly the claim of identifying "major players," directly provoked a small, skilled group within Anonymous.

Simple hack, devastating impact. Anonymous hackers, including Sabu and Kayla, easily breached HBGary Federal's network using a basic SQL injection vulnerability. They discovered Barr used the same simple password ("kibafo33") across multiple accounts, including his corporate email. This allowed them to access tens of thousands of internal emails, revealing Barr's controversial proposals for disinformation campaigns against WikiLeaks and trade unions.

Public humiliation. The hackers leaked Barr's emails and took over his social media, defacing his Twitter with crude jokes and personal information. This public humiliation, timed for Super Bowl Sunday, turned Barr's world upside down and exposed his company's questionable practices. The attack demonstrated Anonymous's capability beyond simple DDoS and highlighted the severe consequences of underestimating the collective.

2. 4chan: The Anarchic Cradle of Lulz and Anonymous

On 4chan, toying with or seriously harassing someone was called a “life ruin.”

Birthplace of anonymity. Founded by Christopher Poole (moot) as an English clone of a Japanese image board, 4chan became a hub for anonymous discussion, particularly its /b/ "random" board. Forced anonymity, initially controversial, fostered a unique culture where users were judged by content, not identity, leading to a collective consciousness and inside jokes known as memes.

Culture of lulz. The driving force on /b/ was "lulz" – entertainment at someone else's expense. This often manifested as trolling, harassment, and "life ruins," where users would dox (find and publish personal info) and torment targets. Despite the negativity and shock content, 4chan offered a sense of power and belonging to users like William, who felt disconnected from the real world.

Incubator for action. Beyond individual trolling, /b/ developed the ability to coordinate mass pranks or "raids" against online targets. While chaotic, these spontaneous actions, often initiated with an "EVERYONE GET IN HERE" call, demonstrated the power of collective action and laid the groundwork for larger Anonymous operations.

3. Chanology Transforms Online Mischief into Real-World Activism

“If we can destroy Scientology, we can destroy whatever we like!”

Provocation sparks action. The Church of Scientology's aggressive attempts to suppress a leaked video of Tom Cruise angered 4chan users. This perceived censorship, combined with Scientology's litigious reputation, made them a perfect target for a large-scale raid, dubbed "Chanology." It escalated from online attacks to physical protests.

From virtual to physical. Chanology marked a significant shift, moving Anonymous from purely online disruption to coordinated real-world demonstrations. Thousands of supporters, many wearing Guy Fawkes masks, protested outside Scientology centers globally. This brought Anonymous mainstream media attention and solidified the image of a faceless rebel horde.

Activism vs. Lulz. The prolonged campaign against Scientology exposed a growing divide within Anonymous: those motivated by activism and perceived social justice ("moralfags") versus those primarily seeking entertainment and chaos ("trolls"). This internal conflict, fueled by disagreements over tactics and goals, would become a recurring theme and contribute to future splintering.

4. IRC Networks Forge Anonymous into an Organized Force

Anonymous had first emerged on image boards like 4chan, but it was evolving through Internet Relay Chat networks. It was becoming more organized.

Beyond the chaos. While 4chan was ideal for spontaneous calls to action, coordinating larger, sustained operations required more structured communication. Internet Relay Chat (IRC) networks provided dedicated channels where Anons could plan, share information, and direct attacks away from the ephemeral nature of image boards.

Tools of disruption. IRC facilitated the widespread adoption of tools like the Low-Orbit Ion Cannon (LOIC) for Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. While simple, LOIC allowed thousands of users to collectively overwhelm websites. More powerful, though less common, were botnets – networks of compromised computers controlled remotely, capable of taking down larger targets.

Emergence of structure. IRC channels, particularly private ones, allowed for the emergence of informal leadership roles ("operators" or "ops") who managed communication and directed participants. Although Anonymous maintained its leaderless ideology, these individuals played a crucial role in organizing the collective's actions, moving it from unpredictable mob to a more coordinated, albeit still fluid, force.

5. Operation Payback: WikiLeaks Sparks a DDoS Storm

It is doubtful that anyone from these companies had any idea that a brand of Internet users known for pranking restaurant managers, harassing pedophiles, and protesting the Church of Scientology would suddenly team together to attack their servers.

New cause, renewed energy. WikiLeaks's release of diplomatic cables and subsequent cutoff of funding by companies like PayPal, MasterCard, and Visa provided a powerful new cause for Anonymous. Perceiving this as censorship, Anons rallied under "Operation Payback" to defend free information, drawing thousands back to the collective after Chanology had faded.

Mass mobilization. The attacks on financial companies saw a massive surge in participation on the newly established AnonOps IRC network. Thousands joined chat rooms and downloaded LOIC, eager to contribute to the digital sit-ins. This period demonstrated Anonymous's ability to quickly mobilize large numbers of people for a shared objective.

Botnets' hidden power. While the public narrative focused on the "hive" of LOIC users, the real power behind the successful takedowns of major sites like PayPal came from a few individuals controlling large botnets. This hidden technical capability, known only to a small elite, provided the necessary firepower, though the public perception remained that of a massive, unified volunteer force.

6. LulzSec Emerges: Elite Hackers Prioritize Fun and Disruption

“We’re LulzSec, a small team of lulzy individuals who feel the drabness of the cyber community is a burden on what matters: Fun.”

Splintering for purpose. Following Operation Payback and internal conflicts, a core group of skilled hackers, including Sabu, Kayla, and Topiary, decided to form a smaller, more focused team. Unconstrained by Anonymous's principles, they aimed to cause disruption and entertain ("lulz") by hacking high-profile targets and leaking data.

Skill and spectacle. LulzSec combined technical prowess (SQL injection, data theft) with a flair for public relations, primarily through their witty and irreverent Twitter feed managed by Topiary. Their hacks, like the PBS Tupac hoax or the Sony Pictures breach, were chosen for their potential to generate media attention and amusement, not necessarily for political reasons.

Antisec revival. Under Sabu's influence, LulzSec also embraced the "Antisec" ideology, targeting white hat security firms and government agencies. This added a layer of perceived purpose to their actions, framing them as a fight against perceived corruption and control of the internet, even if the primary motivation remained lulz.

7. Internal Drama and Enemies Plague Anonymous and LulzSec

“This is annoying now,” Topiary exclaimed in an interview. “Two months ago we were a small team working on operations with no outside hassle. Now there’s other people coming and going, ‘enemy’ groups, press saying stupid things, people trying to toss around politics, people starting drama all the time. Kind of out of control.”

Constant conflict. Despite the outward appearance of unity, Anonymous and its splinter groups were rife with internal drama, ego clashes, and power struggles, particularly among IRC operators and those seeking recognition. Disagreements over goals (activism vs. lulz) and tactics fueled constant infighting.

Enemies within and without. Anonymous faced opposition not only from law enforcement and targeted organizations but also from rival hacker groups and former members turned detractors. These enemies engaged in counter-trolling, doxing, and cyber attacks against Anonymous infrastructure, adding layers of paranoia and mistrust.

Leaks and betrayal. The decentralized and often secretive nature of communication made groups vulnerable to leaks. Chat logs from private channels were repeatedly exposed by insiders or enemies, revealing internal discussions, identities, and conflicts. These betrayals eroded trust and contributed to the eventual downfall of key groups like LulzSec.

8. The FBI Infiltrates LulzSec Through Its Leader, Sabu

“It was because of his kids,” one of the agents later told Fox. “He’d do anything for his kids. He didn’t want to go away to prison and leave them. That’s how we got him.”

Leverage and cooperation. Hector "Sabu" Monsegur, identified by the FBI through a combination of his own carelessness and external doxing efforts, was arrested and faced significant charges for past crimes. Faced with a lengthy prison sentence and concern for his daughters, Sabu agreed to become an FBI informant.

Leading from within. For eight months, Sabu secretly worked for the FBI while continuing to lead LulzSec and influence the broader Antisec movement. He helped his handlers monitor communications, identify other hackers, and prevent numerous planned attacks by alerting authorities to vulnerabilities shared with him.

Betrayal's impact. Sabu's cooperation led to the arrests and charging of five other key hackers, including Topiary, Tflow, and Kayla (Ryan Ackroyd). The revelation of his betrayal stunned the hacker community, eroding trust and highlighting the risks of online collaboration, even among those who believed they were secure.

9. Arrests Reveal the Human Faces Behind the Anonymous Mask

“Sir, the picture that emerges is not a skilled and persistent hacker,” Jake’s barrister, a tall, bespectacled man named Gideon Cammerman, said, “but someone that sympathizes and publicizes, and acts as a repository for information hacked by others.”

Consequences of exposure. Despite efforts to remain anonymous, key figures were eventually identified and arrested. These arrests, often based on technical slip-ups or information gathered by informants, revealed the real people behind the online personas – often young men, some with difficult backgrounds or social challenges.

Media portrayal. The media often sensationalized the arrests, portraying hackers as masterminds or troubled individuals, sometimes focusing on personal details like Ryan Cleary's bedroom or Jake Davis's demeanor in court. This public unmasking contrasted sharply with the faceless, powerful image Anonymous cultivated online.

Martyrs and lessons. While arrests led to legal consequences for individuals, they also sometimes galvanized support within the Anonymous community, turning the arrested into martyrs. The experiences of those caught served as cautionary tales, prompting others to improve their security practices or retreat from public view.

10. Anonymous Endures: An Idea, a Story, a Shifting Force

Anonymous wasn’t just a group or a process; it was also a story that people were telling themselves about how the Internet was fighting back.

Resilience and adaptation. Despite arrests, internal conflicts, and betrayals, the idea of Anonymous persisted. The collective demonstrated an ability to adapt, shifting from mass DDoS attacks to smaller, data-focused hacks and moving communication to more secure channels when necessary.

Myth and manipulation. Anonymous's power lay partly in its mystique and the narrative built around it – a leaderless hivemind fighting for justice or lulz. This narrative, amplified by media attention and sometimes manipulated by insiders, attracted supporters and created a perception of power that often exceeded its actual technical capabilities.

Legacy and evolution. Anonymous left a lasting impact, highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities and influencing subsequent online activism and protest movements like Occupy. While the specific groups and tactics evolved, the core idea of a decentralized, often anonymous force challenging authority through digital means continued to inspire and provoke.

Last updated: May 18, 2025