THC Science

File:AnonymousDemotivator.jpg

The picture on this motivational poster is often used for the identification by Anonymous

Anonymous (used as a mass noun) is a label and Internet meme adopted within Internet culture to represent the actions of many online community users acting anonymously usually toward a loosely agreed-upon goal. It is generally considered as a blanket term—not tied to any monolithic group—for the vox populi or members of the Internet culture.^[1]

Actions attributed to Anonymous are undertaken by unidentified individuals who apply the Anonymous label to themselves. Incidents which are said to be associated with Anonymous are rarely connected to an organized group.^[2] The phenomenon has received much of its publicity through Project Chanology and its protests against the Church of Scientology.

Origins as a concept and meme

The name Anonymous itself is inspired by the perceived anonymity under which users post images and comments on the Internet. Usage of the term Anonymous in the sense of a shared identity began on imageboards. A tag of Anonymous is assigned to visitors who leave comments without identifying the originator of the posted content. Users of imageboards sometimes jokingly acted as if Anonymous were a real person. As the popularity of imageboards increased, the idea of Anonymous as a collective of unnamed individuals became an internet meme. ^[3]

Anonymous broadly represents the concept of any and all people as an unnamed collective. Definitions tend to emphasize the fact that the term cannot be readily encompassed by a simple definition, and instead it is often defined by aphorisms describing perceived qualities.

[Anonymous is] the first internet-based superconsciousness. Anonymous is a group, in the sense that a flock of birds is a group. How do you know they're a group? Because they're travelling in the same direction. At any given moment, more birds could join, leave, peel off in another direction entirely.
— Baltimore City Paper, April 2, 2008.^[4], in Landers, Chris

Composition

Anonymous consists largely of users from multiple imageboards and internet forums. In addition, several wikis and Internet Relay Chat networks are maintained to overcome the limitations of traditional imageboards. These modes of communication are the means by which Anonymous protesters participating in Project Chanology communicate and organize upcoming protests. ^[5]^[6]

A "loose coalition of Internet denizens",^[7] the group is banded together by the internet, through sites such as Something Awful, Encyclopedia Dramatica,^[8] Slashdot, Wikipedia, and YouTube.^[1] Social networking services, such as Facebook, are used for the creation of groups which reach out to people to mobilize in real-world protests.^[9] Anonymous has no leader or controlling party, and relies on the collective power of its individual participants acting in such a way that the net effect benefits the group.^[7]

Anyone who wants to can be Anonymous and work toward a set of goals…We have this agenda that we all agree on and we all coordinate and act, but all act independently toward it, without any want for recognition. We just want to get something that we feel is important done…
— as quoted by Chris Landers in the Baltimore City Paper, April 2, 2008.^[4], in Anonymous

Media-reported incidents

The activities in this section were attributed to Anonymous either by their perpetrators or in the media. The actions taken by Anonymous do not seem to follow any single shared agenda. Those identifying with the term often take action simply for amusement. This is known within sites affiliated with Anonymous as "doing it for the lulz".

Habbo raids

A popular target for organized raids by Anonymous is Habbo, a popular social networking site designed as a virtual hotel. The first major raid, known as the "Great Habbo Raid of '06", occurred during 2006. In the raid (and most others that occur), users signed up to the Habbo site dressed in avatars of a black man wearing a grey suit and an Afro hairstyle (in style of Samuel L. Jackson in the movie Pulp Fiction)^[10] and blocked entry to the pool, declaring that it was "closed due to AIDS",^[11]^[12], flooding the site with internet sayings,^[12] and forming swastika-like formations.^[12] When the raiders were banned, they complained of racism.^[12] In response, the Habbo admins often ban users with avatars matching the profile of the raiders even months after the latest raid.

KTTV Fox 11 news report

On July 26, 2007, KTTV Fox 11 News based in Los Angeles, California aired a report on Anonymous, calling them a group of "hackers on steroids", "domestic terrorists", and collectively an "Internet hate machine". The report covered an attack on a MySpace user, who claimed to have had his MySpace account "hacked" into seven times by Anonymous, and plastered with images of gay pornography. The MySpace user also claimed a virus written by Anonymous hackers was sent to him and to ninety friends on his MySpace contact list, crashing thirty-two of his friends' computers. The report featured an unnamed former "hacker" who had fallen out with Anonymous and explained his view of the Anonymous culture. In addition, the report also mentioned "raids" on Habbo, a "national campaign to spoil the new Harry Potter book ending", and threats to "bomb sports stadiums".^[13]

The news report became the source of many internet memes.^{[citation needed]} Among the mocked features of the report were the stock footage used of an exploding van, the hyperbole and alarmist phrases used to describe the idea of anonymity, naming Anonymous as a domestic terrorist organization, the suggestion that buying a dog and curtains could protect victims from Anonymous, and Fox's previous history of controversy. This report also sparked Anonymous to be more frequently used as means of identification on various imageboards.^{[citation needed]}

The day following the Fox report, Wired News blogger and journalist Ryan Singel derided the report, stating that the "hacker group" in fact consisted of "supremely bored 15-year olds", and that the news report was "by far the funniest prank anyone on the board has ever pulled off".^[14] In February 2008, an Australia-based Today Tonight broadcast included a segment of the Fox report, preceded by the statement: "The Church of Scientology has ramped up the offensive against Anonymous, accusing the group of religious bigotry and claiming they are sick, twisted souls."^[15]

Internet vigilantism reports

On December 7, 2007, the Canada-based Toronto Sun newspaper published a report on the arrest of the alleged Internet predator Chris Forcand.^[16] Forcand, 53, was charged with two counts of luring a child under the age of 14, attempt to invite sexual touching, attempt exposure, possessing a dangerous weapon, and carrying a concealed weapon.^[17] The report stated that Forcand was already being tracked by "cyber-vigilantes who seek to out anyone who presents with a sexual interest in children" before police investigations commenced.^[16]

A Global Television Network report identified the group responsible for Forcand's arrest as a "self-described Internet vigilant group called Anonymous" who contacted the police after some members were "propositioned" by Forcand with "disgusting photos of himself". The report also stated that this is the first time a suspected Internet predator was arrested by the police as a result of Internet vigilantism.^[18]

Project Chanology

The group gained worldwide press for Project Chanology, the protest against the Church of Scientology.^[19]

On January 14, 2008, a video produced by the Church featuring an interview with Tom Cruise was leaked to the Internet and uploaded to YouTube. ^[20]^[21]^[22] The Church of Scientology issued a copyright violation claim against YouTube requesting the removal of the video.^[23] In response to this, Anonymous formulated Project Chanology.^[5]^[24]^[25]^[26] Calling the action by the Church of Scientology a form of Internet censorship, members of Project Chanology organized a series of denial-of-service attacks against Scientology websites, prank calls, and black faxes to Scientology centers.^[27]

"Message to Scientology", January 21, 2008

On January 21, 2008, Inviduals claiming to speak for Anonymous announced their goals and intentions via a video posted to YouTube entitled "Message to Scientology", and a press release declaring a "War on Scientology" against both the Church of Scientology and the Religious Technology Center.^[26]^[28]^[29] In the press release, the group states that the attacks against the Church of Scientology will continue in order to protect the right to freedom of speech, and end what they believe to be the financial exploitation of church members.^[30] A new video "Call to Action" appeared on YouTube on January 28, 2008, calling for protests outside Church of Scientology centers on February 10, 2008.^[31]^[32] On February 2, 2008, 150 people gathered outside of a Church of Scientology center in Orlando, Florida to protest the organization's practices.^[33]^[34]^[35]^[36] Small protests were also held in Santa Barbara, California,^[37] and Manchester, England.^[38]^[34] On February 10, 2008, about 7,000 people protested in more than 93 cities worldwide.^[39]^[40] Many protesters wore masks based on the character V from V for Vendetta (who in turn was influenced by Guy Fawkes), or otherwise disguised their identities, in part to protect themselves from reprisals from the Church.^[41]^[42]

Anonymous held a second wave of protests on March 15, 2008 in cities all over the world, including Boston, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Vancouver, Toronto, Berlin, and Dublin. The global turnout was estimated to be "between 7000 and 8000", a number similar to that of the first wave.^[43] The third wave of the protests took place on April 12, 2008.^[44]^[45] Named "Operation Reconnect", it aimed to increase awareness of the Church of Scientology's disconnection policy.^[20]

On October 17, 2008, an 18-year-old self-described member of Anonymous stated he would plead guilty to involvement in the January 2008 DDoS attacks against Church of Scientology websites.^[46]

Epilepsy Foundation forum invasion

On March 28, 2008, Wired News reported that "Internet griefers" – a makeshift term for people who cause grief^[47] – assaulted an epilepsy support forum run by the Epilepsy Foundation of America.^[48] JavaScript code and flashing computer animations were posted with the intention of triggering migraine headaches and seizures in photosensitive and pattern-sensitive epileptics.^[48] According to Wired News, circumstantial evidence suggested that the attack was perpetrated by Anonymous users, with the initial attack posts on the epilepsy forum blaming eBaum's World. Members of the epilepsy forum claimed they had found a thread in which the attack was being planned at 4chan.org, an imageboard that has been described as a stronghold for Anonymous. The thread, like all old threads eventually do on these types of imageboards, has since been deleted.^[48]

RealTechNews^{[unreliable source?]} reported that the forum at the United Kingdom–based National Society for Epilepsy was also subjected to an identical attack. It stated that "apparent members of Anonymous" had denied responsibility for both attacks and posted that it had been the Church of Scientology who carried them out.^[49] News.com.au reported that the administrators of 4chan.org had posted an open letter claiming that the attacks had been carried out by the Church of Scientology "to ruin the public opinion of Anonymous, to lessen the effect of the lawful protests against their virulent organization" under the Church's fair game policy.^[47] The Tech Herald^{[unreliable source?]} reported that when the attack began, posts referenced multiple groups, including Anonymous. The report attributes the attack to a group named "The Internet Hate Machine" (a reference to the KTTV Fox 11 news report), who claim to be part of Anonymous, but are not the same faction that are involved in the campaign against Scientology.^[50]

Some Anonymous participants of Project Chanology suggest that the perpetrators are internet users who merely remained anonymous in the literal sense, and thus had no affiliation with the larger anti-Scientology efforts attributed to Anonymous.^[50] During an interview with CNN, Scientologist Tommy Davis accused Anonymous of hacking into the Epilepsy Foundation website to make it display imagery intended to cause epileptic seizures. Interviewer John Roberts contended the FBI said that it "found nothing to connect this group Anonymous (with these actions)", and that it also has "no reason to believe that these charges will be leveled against this group".^[51] The response was that the matter was on the hands of local law enforcement and that there were ongoing investigations.^[51]

Defacement of SOHH and AllHipHop websites

In late June 2008, users who identified themselves as Anonymous claimed responsibility for a series of attacks against the SOHH (Support Online Hip Hop) website.^[52] The attack was reported to have begun in retaliation for insults made by members of SOHH's "Just Bugging Out" forum against ebaumsworld users. The attack against the website took place in stages, as Anonymous users flooded the SOHH forums, which were then shut down. On June 23, 2008, the group which identified themselves as Anonymous organized DDOS attacks against the website, successfully eliminating 60% of the website's service capacity. On June 27, 2008, the hackers utilized cross-site scripting to deface the website's main page with satirical images and headlines referencing numerous racial stereotypes and slurs, and also successfully stole information from SOHH employees.^[53]

Following the defacement, the website was shut down by its administration. AllHipHop, an unrelated website, also had its forum raided. By the evening of June 27, 2008 AllHipHop.com was back online and released an official statement in which it referred to the perpetrators as "cyber terrorists" and announced that it would cooperate with SOHH "...to ensure the capture of these criminals and prevention of repeat offenses." On June 30, 2008 SOHH placed an official statement regarding the attack on its main page. The statement alleged that the attackers were "specifically targeting Black, Hispanic, Asian and Jewish youth who ascribe to hip-hop culture," and listed several hip hop oriented websites which it claimed were also attacked by the hackers. It concluded with a notice that it would be cooperating with the FBI.^[52]

When interviewed, Felicia Palmer, co-founder of SOHH, confirmed that an FBI probe was ongoing, and that each time the website was attacked, data on the suspects was retrieved. Palmer indicated that some of the attackers were "located within the United States, between the ages of 16-21" and that a few of them were based in Waco, Texas. Initially under the impression that the hackers were pranksters, she came to believe they were "beyond pranksters" and the attack was racist in nature.^[53]

Texas pool incident

In July 2008, Mary Alice Altorfer, a resident of Austin, Texas, found a sign of the "pool's closed" poster taped to her apartment complex's gated pool door. Alerting the local police and media, she asserted her belief that the sign was racist and intended to intimidate her two bi-racial grandchildren, both of whom she had brought to the pool the day prior. After initial news reports, she started receiving many phone calls. Several of the calls, which Altorfer saved to her answering machine, attempted to explain the meme and assure her that her grandchildren had not been threatened. Regardless, the vast majority of the phone calls were prank calls intended to harass. A second sign was anonymously placed on the pool door days later, displaying Altorfer in an afro haircut edited over the "pool's closed" caricature, with a new caption reading "pool's open".^[11]

References

^ ^a ^b Jessica Parral, James Clark (February 2, 2008). "Internet Group Takes Action Against Scientology". City on a Hill Press (student newspaper). University of California, Santa Cruz. Retrieved 2008-02-21. Cite error: The named reference "ParralFeb21" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
^ Davies, Shaun (May 8, 2008). "The internet pranksters who started a war". ninemsn. Retrieved 2008-10-29. {{cite news}}: Text "publisher ninemsn" ignored (help)
^ Whipple, Tom (June 20, 2008). "Scientology: the Anonymous protestors". The Times.
^ ^a ^b Landers, Chris (2008-04-02). "Serious Business: Anonymous Takes On Scientology (and Doesn't Afraid of Anything)". Baltimore City Paper. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
^ ^a ^b George-Cosh, David (2008-01-25). "Online group declares war on Scientology". National Post. Canwest Publishing Inc. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) Cite error: The named reference "George-Cosh" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
^ Ryan Singel (2008-01-23). "War Breaks Out Between Hackers and Scientology -- There Can Be Only One". Wired News. CondéNet, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ ^a ^b Websites such as eBaumsworld state that only adults over the age of 18 should view their content, but as there is no way to make sure that younger children do not view the websites, many "Anons" are underage. James Harrison (2008-02-12). "Scientology protestors take action around world". The State News (student newspaper). Michigan State University. Retrieved 2008-02-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Davies, Shaun (2008-05-08). "Critics point finger at satirical website". National Nine News.
^ Dahdah, Howard (February 8, 2008). "'Anonymous' group declares online war on Scientology". Computerworld: The Voice of IT Management. IDG Communications. Retrieved 2008-02-08. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ "Samuel L. jackson in Pulp Fiction". 2008-10-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ ^a ^b "Net users insist 'racist' sign is joke". KENS-TV.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Ryan Singel (2008-09-19). "Palin Hacker Group's All-Time Greatest Hits". Retrieved 2009-09-21.
^ Phil Shuman (investigative reporter) (2007-07-26). "FOX 11 Investigates: 'Anonymous'". MyFOX Los Angeles. KTTV (FOX). Retrieved 2007-08-11. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
^ Ryan Singel (2007-07-27). "Investigative Report Reveals Hackers Terrorize the Internet for LULZ". Wired News. CondéNet, Inc. Retrieved 2008-02-23. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Bryan Seymour (reporter) (2008-02-11). "Anonymous takes Scientology war to streets" (newscast). Today Tonight. Seven Network. Retrieved 2008-02-20. {{cite news}}: External link in |author= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ ^a ^b Jonathan Jenkins (2007-12-07). "Man trolled the web for girls: cops". CANOE. Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
^ Constable George Schuurman, Public Information, for Detective Constable Janelle Blackadar, Sex Crimes Unit (2007-12-06). "Man facing six charges in Child Exploitation investigation, Photograph released, Chris Forcand, 53". News Release. Toronto Police Service. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Gus Kim (reporter) (2007-12-08). "Internet Justice?". Global News. CanWest Global Communications. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); External link in |author= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Richards, Johnathan (The Times) (January 25, 2008). "Hackers Declare War on Scientology: A shadowy Internet group has succeeded in taking down a Scientology Web site after effectively declaring war on the church and calling for it to be destroyed". FOX News. FOX News Network, LLC. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ ^a ^b John Cook (March 17, 2008). "Scientology - Cult Friction". Radar Online. Radar Magazine. Retrieved 2008-03-18. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
^ Warne, Dan (January 24, 2008). "Anonymous threatens to "dismantle" Church of Scientology via internet". APC Magazine. National Nine News. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
^ KNBC Staff (January 24, 2008). "Hacker Group Declares War On Scientology: Group Upset Over Church's Handling Of Tom Cruise Video". KNBC. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
^ Vamosi, Robert (January 24, 2008). "Anonymous hackers take on the Church of Scientology". CNET News. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Singel, Ryan (January 23, 2008). "War Breaks Out Between Hackers and Scientology -- There Can Be Only One". Wired. CondéNet, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Feran, Tom (January 24, 2008). "Where to find the Tom Cruise Scientology videos online, if they're still posted". The Plain Dealer. Newhouse Newspapers. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ ^a ^b Chan Enterprises (January 21, 2008). "Internet Group Declares "War on Scientology": Anonymous are fighting the Church of Scientology and the Religious Technology Center" (PDF). Press Release. PRLog.Org. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Matthew A. Schroettnig, Stefanie Herrington, Lauren E. Trent (2008-02-06). "Anonymous Versus Scientology: Cyber Criminals or Vigilante Justice?". The Legality. Retrieved 2008-01-25.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Thomas, Nicki (January 25, 2008). "Scientology and the internet: Internet hackers attack the church". Edmonton Sun. Sun Media. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Dodd, Gareth (Editor) (January 25, 2008). "Anonymous hackers vow to "dismantle" Scientology". Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: |first= has generic name (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ Brandon, Mikhail (January 28, 2008). "Scientology in the Crosshairs". The Emory Wheel. Emory University. Retrieved 2008-01-31. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Feran, Tom (January 31, 2008). "The group Anonymous calls for protests outside Scientology centers - New on the Net". The Plain Dealer. Newhouse Newspapers. Retrieved 2008-02-04. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Vamosi, Robert (January 28, 2008). "Anonymous names February 10 as its day of action against Scientology". CNET News. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-28. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Braiker, Brian (February 8, 2008). "The Passion of 'Anonymous': A shadowy, loose-knit consortium of activists and hackers called 'Anonymous' is just the latest thorn in Scientology's side". Newsweek. Newsweek, Inc. pp. Technology: Newsweek Web Exclusive. Retrieved 2008-02-09. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ ^a ^b Barkham, Patrick (February 4, 2008). "Hackers declare war on Scientologists amid claims of heavy-handed Cruise control". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2008-02-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Staff (February 3, 2008). "Group Lines Road To Protest Church Of Scientology". WKMG-TV. Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. Retrieved 2008-02-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Eckinger, Helen (February 3, 2008). "Anti-Scientology group has protest rally". Orlando Sentinel. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ Standifer, Tom (February 4, 2008). "Masked Demonstrators Protest Against Church of Scientology". Daily Nexus. University of California, Santa Barbara. pp. Issue 69, Volume 88. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
^ Eber, Hailey (February 4, 2008). "Anti-Scientologists Warm Up for February 10". Radar Online. Radar Magazine. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
^ Carlos Moncada (2008-02-12). "Organizers Tout Scientology Protest, Plan Another". TBO.com. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
^ Andrew Ramadge (2008-02-14). "Scientology protest surge crashes websites". News.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
^ Harrison, James (The State News) (February 12, 2008). "Scientology protestors take action around world". Retrieved 2008-02-14. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Forrester, John (2008-02-11). "Dozens of masked protesters blast Scientology church". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-02-15. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ Andrew Ramadge (2008-03-17). "Second round of Anonymous v Scientology". News.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
^ Davies, Shaun (March 20, 2008). "Scientology strikes back in information war". National Nine News. Retrieved 2008-03-20. {{cite news}}: Text "publisher ninemsn" ignored (help)
^ Andrew Ramadge (2008-03-20). "Scientology site gets a facelift after protests". News.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
^ Staff (October 17, 2008). "Teenage hacker admits Scientology cyber-attack". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
^ ^a ^b Andrew Ramadge (2008-04-01). "Anonymous attack targets epilepsy sufferers". News.com.au. News Corporation. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
^ ^a ^b ^c Kevin Poulsen (2008-03-28). "Hackers Assault Epilepsy Patients via Computer". Wired News. Condé Nast Publications. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
^ Michael Santo (2008-03-29). "Hackers Attack Epilepsy Forum; Cause Headaches, Seizures". RealTechNews. Underground Networks. Retrieved 2008-04-01. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
^ ^a ^b Steve Ragan (2008-03-31). "Targeted physical attack takes aim at Epilepsy". The Tech Herald. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
^ ^a ^b Scientology vs Anonymous, Critics take it to the web. CNN. Event occurs at 0:50-1:38. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
^ ^a ^b Reid, Shaheem (2008-06-30). "Hip-Hop Sites Hacked By Apparent Hate Group; SOHH, AllHipHop Temporarily Suspend Access" (html). MTV.com. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
^ ^a ^b Chideya, Farai (2008-06-30). "Hip Hop Sites Attacked by Hate Groups" (html). News & Notes. NPR. Retrieved 2008-07-19. (Radio broadcast)

External links

Template:Commons2

Department of Justice Anonymous Member Arrest Press Release,

Mrozek, Thom (October 17, 2008). "New Jersey Man Charged With Attacking Church of Scientology Websites In The Name Of Anonymous". United States Attorney's Office

Central District of California. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); line feed character in |publisher= at position 32 (help)

MediaShift Idea Lab, PBS

Schultz, Dan (February 15, 2008). "Anonymous vs. Scientology: A Case Study of Digital Media". MediaShift Idea Lab: Reinventing Community News for the Digital Age. PBS. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
Schultz, Dan (February 15, 2008). "Community Organization with Digital Tools". MediaShift Idea Lab: Reinventing Community News for the Digital Age. PBS. Retrieved 2008-03-03.

Audio/video media

Fox11 Staff (July 26, 2007). "FOX 11 Investigates: 'Anonymous'". Fox 11. Fox Broadcasting Company. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) (Video broadcast.)
Brown, Jesse (February 7, 2008). "The face of Anonymous". Search Engine. CBC Radio One. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) (Radio broadcast)

[ParralFeb21-1] Jessica Parral, James Clark (February 2, 2008). "Internet Group Takes Action Against Scientology". City on a Hill Press (student newspaper). University of California, Santa Cruz. Retrieved 2008-02-21. Cite error: The named reference "ParralFeb21" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).

[shaundavies1-2] Davies, Shaun (May 8, 2008). "The internet pranksters who started a war". ninemsn. Retrieved 2008-10-29. {{cite news}}: Text "publisher ninemsn" ignored (help)

[whipple-3] Whipple, Tom (June 20, 2008). "Scientology: the Anonymous protestors". The Times.

[citypaper-4] Landers, Chris (2008-04-02). "Serious Business: Anonymous Takes On Scientology (and Doesn't Afraid of Anything)". Baltimore City Paper. Retrieved 2008-07-03.

[George-Cosh-5] George-Cosh, David (2008-01-25). "Online group declares war on Scientology". National Post. Canwest Publishing Inc. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) Cite error: The named reference "George-Cosh" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).

[SingelWar-6] Ryan Singel (2008-01-23). "War Breaks Out Between Hackers and Scientology -- There Can Be Only One". Wired News. CondéNet, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[JamesHarrison-7] Websites such as eBaumsworld state that only adults over the age of 18 should view their content, but as there is no way to make sure that younger children do not view the websites, many "Anons" are underage. James Harrison (2008-02-12). "Scientology protestors take action around world". The State News (student newspaper). Michigan State University. Retrieved 2008-02-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[8] Davies, Shaun (2008-05-08). "Critics point finger at satirical website". National Nine News.

[HowardDahdah-9] Dahdah, Howard (February 8, 2008). "'Anonymous' group declares online war on Scientology". Computerworld: The Voice of IT Management. IDG Communications. Retrieved 2008-02-08. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[Truth-10] "Samuel L. jackson in Pulp Fiction". 2008-10-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[pool-11] "Net users insist 'racist' sign is joke". KENS-TV.

[greatesthits-12] Ryan Singel (2008-09-19). "Palin Hacker Group's All-Time Greatest Hits". Retrieved 2009-09-21.

[foxnewsanonreport-13] Phil Shuman (investigative reporter) (2007-07-26). "FOX 11 Investigates: 'Anonymous'". MyFOX Los Angeles. KTTV (FOX). Retrieved 2007-08-11. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)

[SingelInvestigative-14] Ryan Singel (2007-07-27). "Investigative Report Reveals Hackers Terrorize the Internet for LULZ". Wired News. CondéNet, Inc. Retrieved 2008-02-23. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[SeymourFeb11-15] Bryan Seymour (reporter) (2008-02-11). "Anonymous takes Scientology war to streets" (newscast). Today Tonight. Seven Network. Retrieved 2008-02-20. {{cite news}}: External link in |author= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Jenkins-16] Jonathan Jenkins (2007-12-07). "Man trolled the web for girls: cops". CANOE. Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2008-02-19.

[PoliceReport-17] Constable George Schuurman, Public Information, for Detective Constable Janelle Blackadar, Sex Crimes Unit (2007-12-06). "Man facing six charges in Child Exploitation investigation, Photograph released, Chris Forcand, 53". News Release. Toronto Police Service. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[Kim-18] Gus Kim (reporter) (2007-12-08). "Internet Justice?". Global News. CanWest Global Communications. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); External link in |author= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[FOXN-19] Richards, Johnathan (The Times) (January 25, 2008). "Hackers Declare War on Scientology: A shadowy Internet group has succeeded in taking down a Scientology Web site after effectively declaring war on the church and calling for it to be destroyed". FOX News. FOX News Network, LLC. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[CookMar17-20] John Cook (March 17, 2008). "Scientology - Cult Friction". Radar Online. Radar Magazine. Retrieved 2008-03-18. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)

[WarneJan24-21] Warne, Dan (January 24, 2008). "Anonymous threatens to "dismantle" Church of Scientology via internet". APC Magazine. National Nine News. Retrieved 2008-01-25.

[KNBCJan24-22] KNBC Staff (January 24, 2008). "Hacker Group Declares War On Scientology: Group Upset Over Church's Handling Of Tom Cruise Video". KNBC. Retrieved 2008-01-25.

[vamosi_anonymous_hackers-23] Vamosi, Robert (January 24, 2008). "Anonymous hackers take on the Church of Scientology". CNET News. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[singel-24] Singel, Ryan (January 23, 2008). "War Breaks Out Between Hackers and Scientology -- There Can Be Only One". Wired. CondéNet, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[feran-25] Feran, Tom (January 24, 2008). "Where to find the Tom Cruise Scientology videos online, if they're still posted". The Plain Dealer. Newhouse Newspapers. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[chanenterprises-26] Chan Enterprises (January 21, 2008). "Internet Group Declares "War on Scientology": Anonymous are fighting the Church of Scientology and the Religious Technology Center" (PDF). Press Release. PRLog.Org. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[27] Matthew A. Schroettnig, Stefanie Herrington, Lauren E. Trent (2008-02-06). "Anonymous Versus Scientology: Cyber Criminals or Vigilante Justice?". The Legality. Retrieved 2008-01-25.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[thomas-28] Thomas, Nicki (January 25, 2008). "Scientology and the internet: Internet hackers attack the church". Edmonton Sun. Sun Media. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[dodd-29] Dodd, Gareth (Editor) (January 25, 2008). "Anonymous hackers vow to "dismantle" Scientology". Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved 2008-01-25. {{cite news}}: |first= has generic name (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[brandon-30] Brandon, Mikhail (January 28, 2008). "Scientology in the Crosshairs". The Emory Wheel. Emory University. Retrieved 2008-01-31. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[feran_the_group_anonymous-31] Feran, Tom (January 31, 2008). "The group Anonymous calls for protests outside Scientology centers - New on the Net". The Plain Dealer. Newhouse Newspapers. Retrieved 2008-02-04. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[vamosi_anonymous_names-32] Vamosi, Robert (January 28, 2008). "Anonymous names February 10 as its day of action against Scientology". CNET News. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-28. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[braiker-33] Braiker, Brian (February 8, 2008). "The Passion of 'Anonymous': A shadowy, loose-knit consortium of activists and hackers called 'Anonymous' is just the latest thorn in Scientology's side". Newsweek. Newsweek, Inc. pp. Technology: Newsweek Web Exclusive. Retrieved 2008-02-09. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[barkham-34] Barkham, Patrick (February 4, 2008). "Hackers declare war on Scientologists amid claims of heavy-handed Cruise control". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2008-02-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[wkmg-35] Staff (February 3, 2008). "Group Lines Road To Protest Church Of Scientology". WKMG-TV. Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. Retrieved 2008-02-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[eckinger-36] Eckinger, Helen (February 3, 2008). "Anti-Scientology group has protest rally". Orlando Sentinel. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[standifer-37] Standifer, Tom (February 4, 2008). "Masked Demonstrators Protest Against Church of Scientology". Daily Nexus. University of California, Santa Barbara. pp. Issue 69, Volume 88. Retrieved 2008-02-04.

[38] Eber, Hailey (February 4, 2008). "Anti-Scientologists Warm Up for February 10". Radar Online. Radar Magazine. Retrieved 2008-02-04.

[MoncadaFeb12-39] Carlos Moncada (2008-02-12). "Organizers Tout Scientology Protest, Plan Another". TBO.com. Retrieved 2008-02-13.

[RamadgeFeb14-40] Andrew Ramadge (2008-02-14). "Scientology protest surge crashes websites". News.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 2008-02-14.

[StateNews-41] Harrison, James (The State News) (February 12, 2008). "Scientology protestors take action around world". Retrieved 2008-02-14. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[ForresterFeb11-42] Forrester, John (2008-02-11). "Dozens of masked protesters blast Scientology church". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-02-15. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[RamadgeMar17-43] Andrew Ramadge (2008-03-17). "Second round of Anonymous v Scientology". News.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 2008-03-17.

[shaundavies-44] Davies, Shaun (March 20, 2008). "Scientology strikes back in information war". National Nine News. Retrieved 2008-03-20. {{cite news}}: Text "publisher ninemsn" ignored (help)

[RamadgeMar20-45] Andrew Ramadge (2008-03-20). "Scientology site gets a facelift after protests". News.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 2008-03-20.

[teenagehacker-46] Staff (October 17, 2008). "Teenage hacker admits Scientology cyber-attack". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 2008-10-18.

[ramadgeepilepsy-47] Andrew Ramadge (2008-04-01). "Anonymous attack targets epilepsy sufferers". News.com.au. News Corporation. Retrieved 2008-04-01.

[wiredepilepsy-48] Kevin Poulsen (2008-03-28). "Hackers Assault Epilepsy Patients via Computer". Wired News. Condé Nast Publications. Retrieved 2008-04-01.

[realtechnewsepilepsy-49] Michael Santo (2008-03-29). "Hackers Attack Epilepsy Forum; Cause Headaches, Seizures". RealTechNews. Underground Networks. Retrieved 2008-04-01. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)

[TechEpilepsy-50] Steve Ragan (2008-03-31). "Targeted physical attack takes aim at Epilepsy". The Tech Herald. Retrieved 2008-04-02.

[tommy-51] Scientology vs Anonymous, Critics take it to the web. CNN. Event occurs at 0:50-1:38. Retrieved 2008-06-27.

[MTV_SOHH-52] Reid, Shaheem (2008-06-30). "Hip-Hop Sites Hacked By Apparent Hate Group; SOHH, AllHipHop Temporarily Suspend Access" (html). MTV.com. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2008-07-18.

[SOHH_NPR-53] Chideya, Farai (2008-06-30). "Hip Hop Sites Attacked by Hate Groups" (html). News & Notes. NPR. Retrieved 2008-07-19. (Radio broadcast)

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