The hacker group Anonymous has warned the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) not to challenge it. NATO may have more resources than Anonymous, but the "hacktivist" group clearly believes it…

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Well... aren't Anonymous one to puff up...

NATO/OTAN hasn't exactly responded to potential threats lightly. Anonymous uses DDoS-attacks, NATO uses aircraft carriers. Every Anon lives somewhere, and even though ten heads will grow off the decapitated "Hydra", it can only grow 'so-many' heads.

great, a bunch of cyber nerds living in mom's basement have delusions of grandeur

note to NATO; make sure the safety switch is in the "off" position during any raids.

See this is where everyone makes their massive mistakes: Dismissing hackers as nothing more than socially inept basement dwellers.

Take them seriously - because they are certainly seriously taking major networks down.

I agree with Zilpha. Everyday another company discloses information about how their databases have been compromised. It's not to be taken lightly. And Lokalaskurar, what good is an aircraft carrier going to do?

It's not a mistake and no one dismisses them as socially inept basement dwellers, in fact everyone accepts them as socially inept basement dwellers. They will also be future target practice dummies in countries like Iran, future rape victims in USA prisons, and well those that have to live in **** holes like russia....have to live in **** holes like russia.

In the end, a criminal is still a criminal (be it thief or pasty skinned 30 yr old virgin basement dweller) and none should ever be taken seriously other then hunted down like the scum bags they are.

Mr./Mrs. prismatics, the aircraft carrier was just a metaphor... Even though there are serious crackers out there which do destroy networks from time to time, don't forget that NATO/OTAN is an enormous organization which specialises in hostile interaction.

They too have "cyberwarriors" no doubt, and they also have some pretty nifty funds and accessibilities which Anonymous either lack or need to steal in order to gain access to.

You trivialize many things - such as rape and murder. I wonder if you have any empathy at all.

I understand the issue makes you upset, but these are still human beings we are talking about.

I say bomb those geeks and show no mercy. Or worse, call their parents.

Sorry to double-post, but that was actually pretty rude...

i'm not trivializing anything. Criminals do get killed all the time in Iran and other "fanatic" countries and they do get raped in USA prisons. I have little sympathy for them as they simply "should know better". Let's not confuse some low life trying to get a cheap "big man" thrill with people who are trying to attain freedom in countries like Iran through cyber attacks. They have my full support.

Some ******* stealing CC# or taking down the Sony network should be headed to prison and receive everything they truly deserve...including being on the receiving end "drop the soap in the prison shower"

Guys, if I was NATO I would be sh*ting my pants. Didn't any of you see Live Free or Die Hard?

LOL

Sure did - Still support OTAN though.

Let me use a quote from Die Hard (or was it Live Free...? Could've mixed them up)
"If one man is capable of everything, then what are a group of thousand people capable of?"

Anonymous vs NATO is like Justin Bieber vs Beethoven, "IMO".

Even though Anonymous can put up a fight, you don't go picking fights with someone who is licensed to kill. Or even better; don't care whether or not he actually is licensed.

It's all fun and games until someone slaps a black hood over your head and you wake up in Cuba.

Anon is about two hacks away from being declared a terrorist organization. Couple that with the recent statement about the use of force to respond to cyber attacks, well, I'm not sure about this course of action. I seriously doubt 99% of these guys would have the balls to stand up to actual interrogation.

They may be elite hacktivists, but think about it. the US Gov't, even China has 'cyberwarriors' that could pinpoint the location of every Anon member, all they need is a MAC Address, ISP, and bam the NSA can just single out the Lat/Long coordinates and Team Six goes in for the kill.

Don't challenge them? Attacking them will only result in a stronger Anonymous they say? That sounds a lot like Al Qaeda, and we haven't stopped hunting them down. I've got three words for them... SEAL Team Six.

They tell us they will continue to attack governments who don't do the will of the people. Since they will decide when that will is worthy of supporting the world will be subject to their rule, right? And they're doing this to prevent governments from weilding too much power?

Does anyone else appreciate the irony in a transparency group calling themselves Anonymous?

If anyone from that group is reading this... But down the bong, turn off Fight Club, and get a job.

Anonymous may be a bunch of basement dwellers with delusions of grandeur, but I've yet to see them do anything that I've thought was in any way pernicious. Why are some of you so pro-government violence against a bunch of people who's only actions and declared aims thus far are exposing government/corporate corruption and being a mild nuisance. I hate to invoke Godwin's Law but doesn't that kind of bizarre, pro-authoritarian stance remind you of any other groups of citizens in modern history?

I fail to see what they have to do with any of this - and frankly it did take them the better part of a decade to track him down..... And he was just living in the desert with a bunch of concubines - he wasn't a savvy hacker.

Government is out of control, and has been for a long time.

@Guest 12:55 PM:
[sarcasm]Yes, because members of Anonymous don't use any means to stay anonymous.[/sarcasm] *facepalm*

Yes, send in the Seals to gun down these evil hackers! Go corrupt goverment! Go USA!