A person wears a Guy Fawkes mask which today is a trademark and symbol for the online hacktivist group Anonymous. 2012. (Photo : Getty Images/PYMCA/UIG)
Following the horrific Paris terror attack, the hacker collective Anonymous waged a cyber-warfare against the Islamic State. Anonymous, known for its hacking attacks which are usually politically motivated, initiated #OpParis and aims to track down Islamic State online outlets.
Anonymous hacking efforts have been fairly successful since it was launched. The group claim that it has taken down several Islamic State propaganda websites as well as tracked down operatives and provide their information to law enforcement agencies.
Based on some of the latest Anonymous attacks against the Islamic State, it shows that the hacker group is returning to some of its classic tactics. Using the classic bait-and-switch prank, Anonymous has been flooding Islamic State hashtags with Rick Astley's music video of "Never Gonna Give You Up."
An Anonymous hacktivist using the handle "Vex" managed to take down 20 terrorist affiliate website and claims that the number is still growing, according to Fox,Since the Paris attacks, Anonymous claims to have attacked at least 20,000 online accounts related to the Islamic State.
Anonymous hackers were able to publish details of at least five recruiters with direct connections to the Islamic State, according to Express. Moreover, the group managed to disable more than 5,500 Twitter accounts since they launch #OpParis.
Currently, some Anonymous operatives are focusing on taking down the Islamic State's financial capabilities. While the idea to defund the militant group is still in its early planning stage, Anonymous operatives connected to the operation are positive that it will succeed and will deal a heavy blow against the Islamic State.
