Anonymous is a decentralized
hacker collective known for its online activism and various cyberattacks. The group'
s members are often referred to as "hacktivists" and are known for wearing Guy Fawkes masks during protests and demonstrations. Anonymous was formed in 2003 and gained international attention in
2008 with a series of protests against the Church of
Scientology. The group has since targeted various organizations and governments, often for perceived violations of free speech and privacy rights. Anonymous has been associated with many
high-profile attacks, including the
2010 Operation Payback against MasterCard, Visa, and PayPal in response to their decision to cut off donations to WikiLeaks. While the group's actions have been controversial, they have also been credited with drawing attention to important
issues and sparking public debate. The decentralized nature of Anonymous makes it difficult to identify individual members, which has contributed to the group's longevity and notoriety.