Hacker Group Anonymous Aims to Destroy Facebook on Nov. 5

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Anonymous has announced plans to "kill Facebook" on November 5, citing privacy concerns as their motivation. The group, known for various hacking activities, has previously targeted law enforcement and government websites. The discussion highlights mixed reactions to their intentions, with some expressing excitement and others questioning the ethics of such cyber-attacks. Critics argue that targeting a private company is immoral, while supporters see it as a form of social protest against perceived corporate wrongdoing. There is speculation about the effectiveness of the planned attack, with some suggesting that announcing their intentions gives Facebook time to bolster security. The conversation also touches on broader themes of civil disobedience, the ethics of hacking, and the implications of digital privacy. Overall, the thread reveals a divide between those who view Anonymous as a necessary force for accountability and those who see their actions as criminal and unjustifiable.
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So why are they waiting so long? Any ideas?

Hackivist group Anonymous vows to "kill Facebook" on November 5, citing users' lack of choice in privacy as its reason for attack.

The group of hackers has claimed participation in just about every recent notable hacking attack of this year and successfully broke into 70 law enforcement websites and took down the Syrian Ministry of Defense website this week alone.

http://news.yahoo.com/hacker-group-anonymous-aims-destroy-facebook-nov-5-042925054.html
 
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Nice! I can't wait :smile:

They could do it a bit sooner though...
 
micromass said:
Nice! I can't wait :smile:

They could do it a bit sooner though...
That seems to be the general consensus from reading the feedback. I know the Evo Child would have a couple of extra hours a day without Facebook. I'd like to see twitter go.
 
Good, I support them wholeheartedly. People are wasting their time on those stupid facebook farm games. Even shooting meteoroids is funnier than that garbage.
 
Evo said:
So why are they waiting so long? Any ideas?

http://news.yahoo.com/hacker-group-anonymous-aims-destroy-facebook-nov-5-042925054.html

Nice! I'm going to register an account so that I can file a complaint when it gets destroyed.

Oh well, I wish them the best of luck. Maybe it'll coincide with the release of some other social networking site. Or a virtual reality social networking site! OR WAIT! MAYBE A REAL REALITY SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE.

They can call it... "Outside."
 
flexgunship said:
nice! I'm going to register an account so that i can file a complaint when it gets destroyed.

Oh well, i wish them the best of luck. Maybe it'll coincide with the release of some other social networking site. Or a virtual reality social networking site! Or wait! Maybe a real reality social networking site.

They can call it... "outside."
lol!
 
How are they going to do it? Exploiting a vulnerability? In that case they shouldn't say anything, or facebook will fix it until then... Or maybe a DDoS attack? But aren't facebook servers "too big to fail" :smile:?
 
I saw this last night and was going to start a thread, Evo beat me to it. For those who really know what is going on, is this false bravado, or can they pull this off as they say they will ?

Rhody...
 
I think I have figured it out.

Google hired them so Google+ will take off.
 
  • #10
I don't know why people are celebrating this. Cyber-crime is still crime. What they are doing is wrong and unethical. Attacking the assets and digital property of a privately-held company just because you don't like what they do is completely immoral.

They also attacked military e-mail servers and numerous other government servers. They leaked thousands of *.mil e-mail addresses and passwords to the public just to cause chaos. Those are used by our soldiers.

Why anyone would support them in any criminal effort is beyond me.
 
  • #11
KingNothing said:
I don't know why people are celebrating this. Cyber-crime is still crime. What they are doing is wrong and unethical. Attacking the assets and digital property of a privately-held company just because you don't like what they do is completely immoral.

They also attacked military e-mail servers and numerous other government servers. They leaked thousands of *.mil e-mail addresses and passwords to the public just to cause chaos. Those are used by our soldiers.

Why anyone would support them in any criminal effort is beyond me.

Bandwagon?
 
  • #12
KingNothing said:
I don't know why people are celebrating this. Cyber-crime is still crime. What they are doing is wrong and unethical. Attacking the assets and digital property of a privately-held company just because you don't like what they do is completely immoral.

They also attacked military e-mail servers and numerous other government servers. They leaked thousands of *.mil e-mail addresses and passwords to the public just to cause chaos. Those are used by our soldiers.

Why anyone would support them in any criminal effort is beyond me.

Look, no one is ACTUALLY condoning crime here. The event either will or will not happen regardless of our opinions. However, if we all just sat around talking about how inappropriate it is we'd have nothing to laugh or joke about.

This is GD in PF.

Besides, if you upset them, you're next! So, until then... I'm on their side. I ain't no cybercrime Batman.
 
  • #13
rhody said:
I saw this last night and was going to start a thread, Evo beat me to it. For those who really know what is going on, is this false bravado, or can they pull this off as they say they will ?

Rhody...

I can't say that I "really know what is going on" but Anon is not an actual organized group, though there may be fairly organized "cells", and are mostly kids with nothing better to do with their time than "hack" for ****s and giggles. Among their more illustrious credits mentioned in the news article they have also successfully brought to justice a teenage girl who posted a video on the internet of herself abusing a cat, gotten Rick Astley nominated "Best Act Ever" for the MTV music awards, and flooded youtube with enough pornography for it to get mentioned on BBC news.

If the story has gotten this much traction then the operation most likely has legs but that does not necessarily mean it will be successful or well executed. The primary means for pulling something as big as this off is to just "get the word out" and hope enough of the right people will be working on it to get it done.

How many Anon does it take to take down facebook? One disgruntled ex employee with nothing better to do and a thousand scriptkiddies to brag about it.
 
  • #14
TheStatutoryApe said:
How many Anon does it take to take down facebook? One disgruntled ex employee with nothing better to do and a thousand scriptkiddies to brag about it.

Even the janitor knows where the plug is.
 
  • #15
I don't like Facebook either, but this is wrong. Big problems often start with the best intentions.
 
  • #16
KingNothing said:
I don't know why people are celebrating this. Cyber-crime is still crime. What they are doing is wrong and unethical. Attacking the assets and digital property of a privately-held company just because you don't like what they do is completely immoral.

I'm celebrating this because I hate facebook. That's all :smile:
Facebook is more unethical and immoral than anon will ever be.
 
  • #17
Newai said:
I don't like Facebook either, but this is wrong. Big problems often start with the best intentions.

Fortunately, Anon doesn't have the best intentions.
 
  • #18
If you ask me, it's too late. Someone already ruined Facebook.
 
  • #19
Jimmy Snyder said:
If you ask me, it's too late. Someone already ruined Facebook.

Geeze, Jimmy, I've only been on there for a few hours. I don't think it's fair to say I ruined it.
 
  • #20
Evo said:
So why are they waiting so long? Any ideas?

Remember, remember the 5th of November...

By the way, Anonymous is not a "hacker group". They're more like a "flash mob organized by social media".
 
  • #21
Ben Niehoff said:
Remember, remember the 5th of November...

By the way, Anonymous is not a "hacker group". They're more like a "flash mob organized by social media".
:smile:

Congrats on the medal Science Advisor Ben!

They don't usually announce targets, do they? Are they just pushing Zucker to clean up his act?
 
  • #22
Is it just me that thinks hackers are the most cool criminals ever?
 
  • #23
Tosh5457 said:
Is it just me that thinks hackers are the most cool criminals ever?

Yup, the rest of us think elderly shoplifters are the coolest.
 
  • #24
micromass said:
I'm celebrating this because I hate facebook. That's all :smile:
Facebook is more unethical and immoral than anon will ever be.

Because pictures that you post on the internet can be viewed by people?

My god, the nerve they have
 
  • #25
Ben Niehoff said:
Remember, remember the 5th of November...

By the way, Anonymous is not a "hacker group". They're more like a "flash mob organized by social media".

So why doesn't our government or other organized individuals who have been victimized get together and find a way to take it to the Anon's ? I am sure they would understand that message, very clearly.

Rhody... :devil:
 
  • #26
Office_Shredder said:
Because pictures that you post on the internet can be viewed by people?

My god, the nerve they have

Indeed, because people can posts pictures about you and they don't get deleted. Or you post pictures of yourself, but they remain on facebook even after you close your account. I think this is quite unethical, yes.
 
  • #27
Evo said:
So why are they waiting so long? Any ideas?
Nov 5th is the anniversary of Guy Fawkes Day. By announcing their intentions so early, they are giving Zuckerburg a long time to harden his security, so if they manage to kill FB, it will make them appear pretty potent.
 
  • #28
turbo said:
Nov 5th is the anniversary of Guy Fawkes Day. By announcing their intentions so early, they are giving Zuckerburg a long time to harden his security, so if they manage to kill FB, it will make them appear pretty potent.

Is that your own speculation (on their intentions)? Because I don't get that impression from their statements. Their attitude has always been that there is no such thing as security, no matter what people do.

By the way, everyone, their messages show a dissension among themselves about attacking Facebook. That might make things interesting in the months to come.
 
  • #29
Newai said:
Is that your own speculation (on their intentions)? Because I don't get that impression from their statements. Their attitude has always been that there is no such thing as security, no matter what people do.

By the way, everyone, their messages show a dissension among themselves about attacking Facebook. That might make things interesting in the months to come.
You are free to make your own speculations. Why are Anon members so often pictured wearing Guy Fawkes masks (as seen in "V for Vendetta"?) Any better idea?

By announcing their intentions, they have given Zuckerburg and his staff a LONG time-frame to harden their security. Can Anonymous pull it off? Let's see.
 
  • #30
micromass said:
Indeed, because people can posts pictures about you and they don't get deleted. Or you post pictures of yourself, but they remain on facebook even after you close your account. I think this is quite unethical, yes.

While I agree that it is unethical to retain rights to peoples pictures and such, other than that I don't have a problem with the site. People are social and have been doing this in other formats for thousands of years.
 
  • #31
turbo said:
You are free to make your own speculations. Why are Anon members so often pictured wearing Guy Fawkes masks (as seen in "V for Vendetta"?) Any better idea?

By announcing their intentions, they have given Zuckerburg and his staff a LONG time-frame to harden their security. Can Anonymous pull it off? Let's see.

No, I was only asking if you were speculating.
 
  • #32
Oh Anon. Nothing is better than "We're going to protect your safety by ruining something you voluntarily signed up for and enjoy!"I'm also surprised at the cynicism in this topic. You don't like Facebook? Who cares? Ignore it, don't encourage these pretentious neckbeards.
 
  • #33
Our constitutional rights have been indefinitely suspended, torture is referred to as "enhanced interrogation", we wage perpetual war, the US has the largest prison population in the world, and 400 people now own more then half the country combined. Revolutions sweep from country to country using cellphones, while only the multinationals and banks are thriving. Anonymous is merely another sign of the times you ignore at your own peril.
 
  • #34
Wuliheron, are you going to contribute to the thread or spout nonsense all day long?
 
  • #35
Evo said:
They don't usually announce targets, do they? Are they just pushing Zucker to clean up his act?
The more organized "cells" may or may not. Otherwise there are internet forums where "targets" are discussed. Basically anyone can post up a "call to arms" and what does or does not get done is more or less based on how popular the idea is and whether or not the persons who express interest actually follow through or get well enough organized. They typically pick some date in advance so that they can try to rally large enough numbers before hand.

Pretty much anyone can go to the right forums and see what the general anon population is up to. Sometimes rather zealous anon will start spamming the "call to arms" over various forums popular with anon which more or less amounts to an "announcement" of their intentions I suppose. Generally speaking Anonymous is not particularly secretive except for, in most cases, their own identities of course.
 
  • #36
Drakkith said:
Wuliheron, are you going to contribute to the thread or spout nonsense all day long?

If you don't like Orwellian double speak you should avoid political threads.
 
  • #37
Newai said:
By the way, everyone, their messages show a dissension among themselves about attacking Facebook. That might make things interesting in the months to come.

Yeah, there's a clear dividing line in Anon over this topic. The line is drawn at "15 years of age."
 
  • #38
Evo said:
So why are they waiting so long? Any ideas?
Maybe they want people to get worried about their privacy so that they will delete their facebookdata. Or just give them a fair chance to do so.
 
  • #39
pftest said:
Maybe they want people to get worried about their privacy so that they will delete their facebookdata. Or just give them a fair chance to do so.

Well, actually, Anon (and LulzSec) are both self described security-exploit groups. If they were as noble as they pretended to be, they could be doing this to give Facebook time to revamp their security prior to the attack.

I don't believe that for a second... but, you know... maybe.
 
  • #40
While a lot of people here may criticize their methods and motivations the simple fact is everyone knows their name, everyone now recognizes their Guy Fawkes masks, and their internet attacks have become at least as famous as Green Peace ramming whaling ships. So long as they maintain the spotlight and people continue to debate them on websites like this they have succeeded in promoting the idea of civil disobedience as a viable alternative. Even the controversy over attacking facebook merely contributes to their success and draws more members to their cause no matter how futile that might be.

As politics go its as classic as it gets. In some countries the legislature will even have mock brawls and wrestling matches on the floor to prove to their constituents they are literally fighting for their interests. Minority groups with little influence and power will likewise take this low brow approach. One province in Italy has repeatedly elected a porn star to the senate. Anything to get attention and if you think countries like the US are exempt think again. Recently Donald Trump, a huge professional wrestling fan, used endless trash talk to gain the spotlight and some 60% of Americans began to seriously question whether their own president was actually a US citizen.
 
  • #41
wuliheron said:
[...] Green Peace ramming whaling ships [...]

Stupid.

wuliheron said:
In some countries the legislature will even have mock brawls and wrestling matches on the floor to prove to their constituents they are literally fighting for their interests.

Also stupid.

Is it just me, or does this whole thing seem stupid (the Facebook attack, not your post Wuliheron)? As far as politics go, attacking Facebook would be the political equivalent of a legislator attacking wallpaper samples.

At best they'll look silly; at worst they'll make enemies.
 
  • #42
KingNothing said:
I don't know why people are celebrating this. Cyber-crime is still crime. What they are doing is wrong and unethical. Attacking the assets and digital property of a privately-held company just because you don't like what they do is completely immoral.

They also attacked military e-mail servers and numerous other government servers. They leaked thousands of *.mil e-mail addresses and passwords to the public just to cause chaos. Those are used by our soldiers.

Why anyone would support them in any criminal effort is beyond me.

I support Anon because I think just a little bit of chaos is good. It's kinda like a vaccine. What Anon does is mostly harmless, and I suspect that what they do will help harden their targets against future attacks, attacks which might be more serious. The fact that they're around gives companies and governments a reason to secure their digital assets. Also, while they do it, they keep ideas such personal privacy and government transparency alive.

Plus, Anon also does some real good in the world. They set up proxy servers for Iranian protesters after their internet was severely restricted, as one example. That was a "criminal effort" in some countries, for what it's worth.
 
  • #43
Okay, I've had two of my replies misconstrued. If it happens again, I'm buying everyone pizza and beer.
 
  • #44
Newai said:
Okay, I've had two of my replies misconstrued. If it happens again, I'm buying everyone pizza and beer.

I don't think Okay can hear you from here. You'll have to speak up; try a PM.
 
  • #45
Newai said:
Okay, I've had two of my replies misconstrued. If it happens again, I'm buying everyone pizza and beer.
Great. I love caviar and champagne.
 
  • #46
Whoah! I wrote "I'm buying myself a pizza and beer." Apparently someone changed it, so sorry everyone. Damned hackers.

Honestly.
 
  • #47
Ok so what if this is all a conspiracy plot planned by the secret alien governments of the world to get people to hate them? I know it sounds crazy but why would hackers actually waste time with facebook especially when it will just make tons of unemployed hobos angry that they can't virtually grow cows on a virtual farm? Ya I'm sure of it now the grays are up to no good again.
 
  • #48
Jack21222 said:
I support Anon because I think just a little bit of chaos is good. It's kinda like a vaccine. What Anon does is mostly harmless, and I suspect that what they do will help harden their targets against future attacks, attacks which might be more serious. The fact that they're around gives companies and governments a reason to secure their digital assets. Also, while they do it, they keep ideas such personal privacy and government transparency alive.

Plus, Anon also does some real good in the world. They set up proxy servers for Iranian protesters after their internet was severely restricted, as one example. That was a "criminal effort" in some countries, for what it's worth.

With China hacking into governments everywhere, Russian hackers stealing billions, and 180,000 known viruses nobody needs Anonymous to be inspired to secure their digital assets. Supporting Iranians was just another attempt to spread civil disobedience on their part. Whether its good or bad in any given case just depends on your politics. My own parents were quite disappointed when Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown as the dictator of the Philippines and I know quite a few Americans proud to call themselves Fascists. Some are the nicest people you'll ever meet.
 
  • #49
wuliheron said:
With China hacking into governments everywhere, Russian hackers stealing billions, and 180,000 known viruses nobody needs Anonymous to be inspired to secure their digital assets.

Then why aren't they secure?
 
  • #50
wuliheron said:
If you don't like Orwellian double speak you should avoid political threads.

No, you should make some sense and stick to the topic.

Then why aren't they secure?

Because it isn't that simple. Good security costs money, time, and many times is an inconvenience to whoever uses the system. And security isn't a static issue. It is a constant back and forth between better security and hackers finding loopholes in the software or hardware. Modern programs and systems are very complex and it can be very easy to miss a flaw in the design.

Ok so what if this is all a conspiracy plot planned by the secret alien governments of the world to get people to hate them? I know it sounds crazy but why would hackers actually waste time with facebook especially when it will just make tons of unemployed hobos angry that they can't virtually grow cows on a virtual farm? Ya I'm sure of it now the grays are up to no good again.

Because it makes a huge statement and affects a large portion of the US. Perfect target for anyone who thrives on publicity.
 

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