Is Anonymous a national threat? Anonymous, known as a “Hacktivist”
group is creating chaos all over the world within the cyber world.
Oxforddictionaries.com defines a hacktivist as, “a
person who gains unauthorized access to computer files or networks in order to
further social or political ends.” They are mostly known for their
extremist thinking. Anonymous can be identified for hacking the Federal Reserve
banking system, hacking into the Egyptian president’s e-mails, and taking down
Government websites…repeatedly. Breaching borders Anonymous has spread out to
several other countries like Egypt, Spain, Turkey, and plenty more countries
worldwide.
According to an article in the Calgary Harold, the government appears to have seen a threat,
sending three federal security agencies to take a closer look at the alleged ‘cyber
terrorists’. One agency warned that, “Anonymous could soon have the ability to
take down critical
infrastructure such as water systems and the electricity grid.”
Although that sounds like a possible threat, what proof is out there that
supports all these accusations? After a short few minutes of combing the
internet for Anonymous, I stumbled upon a site who defines themselves as; “The
Atlantic wire” which reported that an Anonymous member threatened the life of
an FBI member on a YouTube video saying “"Robert Smith's life is over. And
when I say his life is over I don't mean I'm going to kill him, but I'm going
to ruin his life and look into his f***ing kids.”, although Barret Brown was
arrest for doing so, it is evident that this Anonymous member took things too
far.
Another site “Religious Freedom Watch” is known to expose people
that attack religious groups. Religious Freedom Watch believes in helping
persons of all religions and does not discriminate or advocate violence against
persons of any religion.” According to religiousfreedomwatch.org, Anonymous
appeared back in 2004 and became a major nuisance, especially to scientologists.
The site then deemed the group Anonymous as a hate group and used these word
and others to define members of Anonymous, ‘religion hating, racist, criminals,
and perverts’. The site, clearly a biased source, got me to thinking about the
importance of masks.
Why should they hide behind masks? We supposedly live in this free
nation, which I like to pretend is true. I always thought that we were free to
be who we wanted to be, fight for what we believed in, and to work for what we
wanted. I see that anonymous is fighting to be who they want to be. They wear
these masks to categorize themselves as one unit, to protect themselves from
their so-called right to choose to be whom they want to be. Now, the discussion
is how far you will go, how hard you will fight for what you believe in.. What
is too far? Hacking government websites? Stealing credit card information along
with piles of person information? What gives Anonymous the right to do any of
those things? I do see there are problems with our free nation, but what gives
them the power to make these decisions. Though, I sometimes feel, like many
other Americans, that our government should not have the right to make some of
the decisions they make. Making personal information accessible to the public
is a big breach of ethics on Anonymous’ part.
This discussion seems to be targeted for either extreme religions
or gullible citizens that don’t question the world that surrounds them. If
there is a possibility of a group that could knock out necessities such as
water and power, we should not be so quick to lower our guard. Or at least let
the government let you think you can lower your guard. A group such as
Anonymous, who makes threats on a normal basis, should not be taken so lightly.
Anonymous is defiantly a threat and they have shown capabilities that could
destroy life for millions of Americans. Who is not frightened that they might
be the next to be hacked? Who wants to wake up and find that there person
information is posted online, your identity stolen, or your home address where
you and your family live. Anonymous are throwing stones in the water, and the
ripples are spreading. The tactics that some members use could one day be a
serious problem right on your front step. Don’t assume there is not threat,
this is America! There is always a threat!
Behind the face of the anonymous
hate group. (n.d.). Retrieved from religiousfreedomwatch.org
Press, J. (2012, december 21). Anonymous a threat to critical infrastructure? expert says no.
Retrieved from http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/national/Anonymous threat
critical infrastructure Expert says/7734843/story.html
