Anonymous & Million Mask March - 5 November
Date: 4th November 2013
Detective Services: Debugging / Bug Sweeping / Hidden Camera Detection
Brief:
On Tuesday, 5 November, 2013, individuals and groups associated with the online hacker collective known as Anonymous (or Anon) will conduct cyber-attacks against governments and banks. You may have heard in recent days the 'threats' to the Queensland Premier made on Facebook made by Anonymous. Anonymous & aligned groups also plan to hold protests and rallies worldwide known as 'Million Mask March', particularly targeting government offices in the targeted city. To date the protests involve planned demonstrations expected to take place in public spaces across Australia and in cities across 53 other countries.
Statements on Social Media posted by Anonymous & associated groups:
“On the 5th of November 2013, Anonymous call for a day of global civil disobedience. This time we target all government facilities across the globe. Calling all free thinkers: the time for civil disobedience is now. This time it also seems unions from around the world are supporting this action. The lion sleeps no more. Ask yourself this: where will you be when we make history? November 5th, 2013. Worldwide. Now it’s a vendetta. Now it’s personal. Now it’s time to occupy everywhere. It’s time to throw everything we have at November 5th. It’s time to relight the flame of protest until our demands are met. Now it’s time for our brothers and sisters of the awakening to take to the streets. Austerity means war.”
Reasons cited on the Melbourne Facebook page for their proposed 'peaceful march':
1. A clear cut message that The public supports the actions of Anonymous and its achievements! We therefore demand "Free all Anons!"
2. That Anonymous ideals are not over, but only just beginning, and flowering! You cannot kill an idea! Stop the thought police NOW!!
3. That we are not terrorists, and our love and peace is selfless, not needing to be recognized by the individual ego, but as a collective humanity!
4. That we are all Anonymous!
5. WE THE PEOPLE INSPIRE ANONYMOUS ACTIONS TO TAKE PLACE AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN!
6. EXPECT US!
Australian Cities & details:
• Adelaide - https://www.facebook.com/events/675192722497614/
• Brisbane - https://www.facebook.com/events/594545440578338/
• Darwin - https://www.facebook.com/events/132339110303812/
• Melbourne - https://www.facebook.com/events/417056931724810/
• Perth - https://www.facebook.com/events/346022628834278/
• Sydney - https://www.facebook.com/events/183528808474937/
• Tasmania - https://www.facebook.com/events/635088256518878/
Please make yourself aware of planned action in your city or Google 'Million Mask March' and your city name to find out local details.
Background:
The name Anonymous itself is inspired by the perceived anonymity under which users post images and comments on the Internet. Anonymous (used as a mass noun) is a loosely associated international network of activists and hacktivists. A website associated with the group describes it as "an internet gathering" with "a very loose and decentralized command structure that operates on ideas rather than directives". The group became known for a series of well-publicized hacks and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on government, religious, and corporate websites.
Anonymous mark the day as one of civil disobedience. 5 November holds special meaning for Anonymous associates and they use the image of the 'Guy Fawkes Mask'. The connection is that Guy Fawkes is today remembered as the leader of a group of 13 individuals that unsuccessfully attempted to assassinate the King James as part of the Gunpowder Treason Plot on 5 November, 1605.
Cyber Attacks:
Social media websites indicate that along with the planned marches and protests, hackers will conduct cyber-attacks against the websites of major corporations in the financial and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as government and law enforcement websites. The collective of hackers likely will use a combination of tactics, including Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) and DNS brute attacks, redirects, and posting of any information found on the websites. Cyber-attacks may vary in type and duration, and likely cause inconvenience though disruptions.
Hackers may create false information; emails, messages, social posts & website announcements. If information is not addressed immediately through mainstream media it could have the potential to cause public panic having ramifications for financial and government institutions.
Conclusion:
It is unknown whether some, most or all of the planned demonstrations will take place as circulated. Previous physical protests have remained relatively peaceful and in public spaces. As a loosely aligned collective it is unknown how a large group of radical members will behave, although the recent scenes in Europe in relation to anti-austerity measures are not widely expected to be replicated here. Vigilance around large groups of protesters and marches is always recommended and avoid the areas where protest &civil disobedience will occur. Allow for public transport delays, especially in Melbourne with the Public Holiday timetable in effect. Ensure your safety and that of residents, visitors, children, family, employees & buildings.
