Anonymous is making good on its promise of a digital battle against ISIS and has struck a blow, ridiculing the terror group with an unlikely but potent weapon — mockery. On Thursday, the Ghost Sec, a hacking group related to Anonymous, gained control of a website supporting the Islamic State and replaced it with a Viagra advertisement. “Please gaze upon this lovely ad so we can upgrade our infrastructure to give you ISIS content you all so desperately crave,” reads the hacked version of the site, noting that there is simply “Too Much ISIS” in the world.
Before the site was completely removed, it was actually possible to purchase the sexual performance enhancing drug using bitcoins. Viagra, Ghost Sec suggested, would help “Enhance your calm,” as “Too many people are into this ISIS-stuff.”
This is not the first move Anonymous has made against ISIS. Since posting a video following the tragedy in Paris, which promised to “unite humanity” and warned ISIS to “expect us,” the hackers have conducted a series of spam attacks against similar terrorist sites, and even managed to remove some of ISIS’ Twitter accounts.
“Anonymous from all over the world will hunt you down,” said a group spokesperson in the video, and continued, “You should know that we will find you and we will not let you go. We will launch the biggest operation ever against you.”
With increased efforts from groups like Anonymous and government officials alike to shut down ISIS’ online presence, where they spread much of their propaganda and recruit many of their members, some terrorists are attempting to take their digital footprints to the dark Web. This part of the Internet is more difficult to access, and generally requires users to employ specific tools that allow for anonymity, making it more difficult to track activity. But even so, with redoubled efforts from an internationally united cybercommunity, it may prove difficult for ISIS to hide online.
“The French people are stronger than you and will come out of this atrocity even stronger,” said Anonymous. And starting with Viagra, this is one prophecy that’s sure to come true.
