Anonymous member speaks out over hacking

A MEMBER of Anonymous has responded to criticisms that the Anonops part of the group is run by megalomaniacs who are not interested in the wider cause.

Yesterday the group's IRC channels and means of communications were hacked by members who claimed to have the support of the majority. However, according to one of the main operators of the account the move was a spiteful and misguided one that in fact should not have created any problems for its users.

In a pastebin release the hackers said that Anonops "no longer stands for the values of open speech," and has transformed itself into a "network rampent with trolls, abusive channel operators, and a generally unwelcoming place for those whom wish to communicate and gather to fight the powers of corruption, and those whom wish to censor our open internet".

However, an Anonymous member with the handle 'Shitstorm', one of the key members of the group that was singled out in the Pastebin release has responded to the accusations and emailed The INQUIRER saying that the attack was the work of disgruntled and juvenile members.

"AnonOps started a year ago as something great. A place where all kinds could come to try and make a difference, or just chat," he told us. "However even after the network first started there was a few kids who had a personal grudge.... Regardless of what they claim, or say, this is what caused all this drama, a grudge carried from over a year ago that has since spiraled out of control... The kids on the network formerly known as skidsr.us love drama and attention, therefore they stir up all this to keep themselves in the limelight."

Shitstorm, who was personally called out in the hack as standing in the way of a more decentralised Anonymous, admitted that the network had had some problems, but said it was not deserving of the criticisms.

"Yes we have trolls, yes some stupid OP's banned noobs, sure there is some arrogant users. Skidsr.us say we don't allow free speech when we ban the trolls, but when we dont you say we have too many trolls," he added.

"This entire opening statement in the pastebin is a farce, if anyone goes to their IRC you will see that they are the most arrogant, judgmental, condescending pricks you will ever meet. Do not be fooled by their claims. They simply want to have control for themselves as demonstrated time and time again. When you're only 17 like some of them are, you will lie to get your way."

As for the hack itself, Shitstorm admitted that the group had been unable to tackle it. However, he added that users should have protected themselves against such penetration.

"The hack was a 0 day, there is little we can do to stop a 0 day. Nothing is 100 [per cent] secure. We all know this. We advise users to use a fake email, password they don't use anywhere else, and to use a VPN or other means of anonymity," he said. "This is not an excuse for the hack. This is to say that we had guidelines in place, if they were followed the dump is meaningless." µ