[pessimizer]

Also, another reminder that the "hacker group Anonymous" (as opposed to the assorted spontaneously-assembled imageboard events and the anti-Scientology protest events) was a left-wing hactivist group that was infiltrated, then busted and jailed by the FBI. There's no reason to think that anything ascribed to anonymous isn't just a state cyberattack disguised as some sort of spontaneous populist expression.

[woodruffw]

To the best of my knowledge, there has never been a single group known as “Anonymous.”

Saying that the FBI infiltrated Anonymous is like saying that they’ve infiltrated antifa; it’s a category error.

[zja]

That’s true, but a lot of the higher profile activities attributed to Anonymous was the particular group the parent comment is talking about. I know Kirtaner (founder of 420chan) was involved and has been talking about it a lot lately.

[DoItToMe81]

As a long term user of 420chan, I can say he has sadly lost the plot. All major happenings on the site were marked by his absence, and most downturns by his presence. He wasn't hiding in the shadows micromanaging the spooky anonymous hackers like he pretends nowadays, he's just a weirdo trying to relive and rewrite his glory days.

For most of its existence, 420chan has been plagued with administration incompetence and downtime, so I find it very hard to believe someone who can't even run a site is secretly masterful at hacking them.

[alasdair_]

The whole point about Anonymous is that it's a label for anyone to freely use. There have been dozens (at least) of hacker groups using the Anonymous moniker, nevermind all the splinter groups.

[BLKNSLVR]

> spontaneous populist expression

That is almost the definition of the "hacker group Anonymous". It / They are a swarm of swarms of undefined individuals who join these various swarms based on their own ideologies, motivations, availability, skills, and current level of life boredom.

This is it's greatest strength: if it hits "viral internet meme" popularity, it can actually achieve a productive level of coordination / chaos with no specific 'head' that can be cut off.

It's also it's greatest weakness: As you've described, the ability to (mis)attribute blame, ie. "state cyberattack disguised as ..." because there is no cohesive group to need the reputation points of claiming responsibility.