Tri-Service

Exploring The 'Anonymous' Cyber Battlefield

Anonymous declares war against Islamic State

They call themselves a Legion; one that’s fighting a cyber war against Islamic State. “Op Paris” is a battle they say they are winning.

In the wake of the Paris attacks, the Anonymous “hactivists” claim to have disabled thousands of twitter accounts purportedly linked to the terrorists. It works by simply reporting the posts to Twitter as spam. Twitter then takes down the accounts.

Anonymous, as their name implies, tend not to do face-to-face interviews. But in a statement, they have this message for IS supporters.

"Anonymous from all over the world will hunt you down.You should know that we will find you and we will not let you go.”

But is this kind of cyber warfare making a difference, or is it actually hindering the work of the intelligence services?

Cyber Security expert Graham Cluley believes it is a valid alternative to bloodshed: “It’s better to shut down someone’s twitter account rather than hit them with a drone…but I think the kind of people who are being targeted on social networks aren’t the same people who are going around shooting.” However, he fears it could have a negative impact.

“If accounts are shut down or hacked, then that stops feeding information to the intelligence services who, of course, want to know about people spreading pro-ISIS propaganda.”

There are concerns too that accounts that are shut down can easily be set up again. Some fear it could result in driving jihadist supporters on to the dark web, where they can hide more easily.

So what is the armed forces response to the hactivists’ action? Former RAF Officer Ewan Lawson is a cyber intelligence expert for RUSI. He believes Anonymous is helping, by removing some of the “noise” from cyber space: “In terms of the broader population wanting to engage, it’s a positive message. I would not be one, though, to encourage the activities of these activist groups more generally.”

“From the perspective of the wider military community, there would be a degree of interest, as opportunities may be presented indirectly, but it’s not something that comes exclusively with benefits. It carries certain risks as well.”

In a wider context cyber warfare and terrorism is an issue being taken seriously. As part of the government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review, Home Secretary Teresa May has announced new funding for MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. But Anonymous promises to continue its campaign, and is encouraging the public to join them.

Islamic State supporters are however fighting back. Their social media accounts are sharing instructions on how to avoid being hacked by Anonymous. It is the latest skirmish in the battle taking place in cyberspace.