Anonymous: Hacking Group Reportedly Shut Down Hundreds Of Social Media Accounts Tied to ISIS
The hacking group known as “Anonymous” has claimed to have taken down more than 1,000 Islamic State websites in just three days.
In a new video from Anonymous, it is purported that some 800 Twitter accounts, 12 Facebook pages, and 50 email accounts associated with ISIS have been shut down. The militant Islamist organization has a huge social media presence, with accounts on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Anonymous declared war against Islamic extremists last month, saying in a YouTube video that they would track down their websites and social media networks and take them down.
ISIS uses the social media accounts to recruit new members and spread propaganda. But through its Operation ISIS — #OpISIS — the hacking group has been targeting the terrorist group’s online presence.
The dramatic video, which shows the group’s notorious V for Vendetta Guy Fawkes mask, warned — “ISIS, we will hunt you, take down your sites, accounts, emails and expose you.”
“You will be treated like a virus, and we are the cure. We own the internet.”
According to the Mirror, Middle East expert Mark Almond stated that “If you cut off the supply line by which people are being brain-washed [into] joining ISIS, the group will start to run short of manpower and crumble.”
The Anonymous attacks hammer ISIS websites with traffic until they go offline, and repeatedly report social media accounts so they get suspended.
Other “weapons” used in #OpISIS include password cracking and phishing.
The hacking organization also points out that it’s made up of “Muslims, Christians and Jews,” adding “we come from all races, countries, religions and ethnicity. [sic]”
“Remember — the terrorists hat are calling themselves Islamic State (ISIS) are not Muslims!”
Anonymous has been targeting the militant Islamic group with its typical digital mischief-making since June, 2014 — but has up-scaled efforts in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris.
[Image via Daily Mail]
