WikiLeaks and Non-Involvement

I had actually forgotten this blog existed. I created it ages ago as a knowlegebase for people anonymously taking part in activities to raise awareness about the questionable nature of the Church of Scientology. However, the blog recently got a huge spike in hits from Google (far more views than it ever had when I was actually writing posts) because of people searching for information on ‘Anonymous Operations’, the hacker group that may or may not be involved with WikiLeaks.

 

I’d just like to state that I don’t know anything about either of the above, nor am I in any way affiliated with them. This isn’t just legal rear-end-covering, I genuinely haven’t looked into it at all. I have nothing to do with them, this blog has nothing to do with them and its title a pure coincidence – it may even precede the formation of the group that’s currently making the news. Bottom line: people are welcome to browse, welcome to read my old posts, welcome to post comments if they want. Don’t, however, expect to find info on WikiLeaks (or indeed anything current) here, and don’t expect further updates from me.

 

That is all. Good day.

Operation: Llamarama

We’ve all seen those public PCs around – in shopping centres, computer hardware shops, Apple Stores, etc. Mostly they just sit there, idly showing the last visited webpage and waiting to display advertising at the next shmuck who tries to access his myspace. A waste, some might say. This operation aims to rectify that by putting them to a more productive use: displaying anon-centric websites to the public at large.

The procedure is relatively simple: get hold of a public PC, redirect it to youfoundthecard.com, xenu.net or some other such site, and leave it for someone else to discover. Better yet, make it the homepage if you can. In some cases, it might even be possible to change the screensaver or desktop wallpaper, at which point you can easily slip in a relevant URL or two and an intriguing slogan.

In some cases, this will be very simple (and generally legal). In others, restrictive measures may have been put in place to thwart your endeavours. Some tips, therefore, for our anons in the field:

• If some thoughtless soul has deprived you of a URL bar, you can make your way to an Anonymous site via a circuitous route through somewhere else. Wikipedia is an excellent source of inter-connected links if you’re good at navigating it, though of course if you can get to Google then you’re sorted. Pay attention to generally disregarded links like ‘Contact’, ‘Legal’, ‘this site is powered by…’, etc.
• Sometimes (though not always) finding a link that opens in a new window may furnish you with a url bar, file menu etc. Never forget the Windows on-screen keyboard if you can get to the start menu (accessories > accessibility).
• Apparently, typing URLs into meebo (an online IM) makes them clickable, so it can be used as an alternative address bar.
• Just look innocent, and it’s unlikely anyone will bother you. If anyone notices what you’re doing, just remember you haven’t done anything wrong.
• If you’re missing a keyboard (or keys like ‘ctrl’ that could allow you to circumvent the locking-in) but there’s an exposed USB port, you could even bring along your own keyboard (though this is a bit more shady).

That’s it! Go forth Anon, and find those unguarded PCs! Don’t forget to leave a YFTC nearby for bonus points. You can find more on this project in the Enturbulation forums here.

Requirements:

• Public computer capable of displaying a useful website, screensaver, wallpaper or other message.

Lulz/Win Rating:

This is unlikely to work on a large scale, but every little definitely helps. Knowledge is free, can’t stop the signal and all that, so a win for Anonymous every time someone finds out the truth about the Co$, and this is as good a way as any. Better than some, in fact, as there are lulz to be had in finding ways to get around lock-ins and similar.

Operation: Information Super-Highway

In a nutshell: signs on overpasses. The idea is to spread the message (and perhaps a memorable URL or two) to the hundreds (maybe even thousands) of drivers that see a sign on a highway. The idea has already been implemented for political ends by the folks over at freewayblogger.com, so there’s some added info there.

As for how to do it, freewayblogger has a guide here, which has been supplemented by Anons with the following pointers:

• Use thick material – waterproof if you can manage it, otherwise check the weather forecasts.
• Spraypaint and stencils if you want to make signs fast (metallic spraypaint for preference). cable tie banners TIGHT and they are difficult to remove – they tend to cut the material instead.
• Tie them suckers down good. Seriously. We do NOT want them blowing onto cars.
• Keep messages large and short. They’ve gotta be read quickly and remembered – memorable URLs are a good idea, obviously.
• Think carefully about placement – visible for longer = more win.

More info on the Enturbulation forum threads here and here.

The legality of this project is somewhat sketchy. There’s some info on laws in the US here, but they seem to vary from state to state and other countries may be different. There’s little consensus on this point, so really it’s up to the individual Anon. Bear in mind that this sort of thing is done all the time, and this is in a good cause after all. On the other hand, there’s always a chance the local police will give you a slap on the wrist for causing a distraction to traffic. Participate at your own risk, and if in doubt, act under cover of night.

Requirements:

• Cardboard
• Paints, spray or otherwise
• Cords, cables, duct tape, etc.

Lulz/Win Rating:

This is pretty guerrilla-style, so I imagine pretty lulzy to take part in. Plus, it’s a great way to spread the word, so much win if the signs stay up long enough.

Project Andromeda (YouFoundTheCard)

Many Anons will already be familiar with the awesome viral marketing campaign involving Mistegirl’s website, youfoundthecard.com. The site gives a good overview of the project and is a great hook to get people interested and involved, with lots of helpful links for those wanting more information. However, the real genius is in its URL: it’s designed to inspire curiosity if you find it printed on an otherwise mostly blank card that some unknown person has left lying around for you to pick up.

The idea is simple. Get hold of a load of cards marked with the url and distribute them wherever they are likely to be found and picked up. Leave one in the menu or on your table when you eat out, on a bus or train seat, in the change slot of a phone box or vending machine, inside books at a library or bookshop, in the pockets of clothes in a store and anywhere else you can think of. Be creative and have fun! Just bear in mind that you want the person that finds one to think they’ve stumbled across something interesting and unusual, not just a random piece of advertising. To that end, leave them in unusual places and don’t mention anything about Scientology or activism on the cards themselves.

How you get hold of said cards is mostly up to you. There are a number of places where you can get large numbers of cards printed at relatively low cost (this site will even print them for free and only charge you for shipping). For home printing, you can either come up with your own design or use one of the many already floating around. More info can be found on the relevant thread on the Enturbulation forums and on the wiki page.

It’s also worth noting that there isn’t just one URL. All of the following redirect to the same site:

• youfoundthecard.org
• unfairgame.net
• hiddensticker.com
• thehiddensticker.com
• youfoundthesticker.com
• youfoundthecash.com

The last four are obviously great for writing on stickers and banknotes respectively, so be creative! Also, a copy of the entire site’s code is available for download at http://youfoundthecard.com/yftc.zip for anybody wanting to set up a similar site (it’s designed to be easily adjusted to a new URL).

Requirements:

• Cards and/or stickers.
• Some skill in leaving the cards about unseen, and maybe some design skills if you want to come up with your own designs.
• Variable investment of time and money, depending on how serious you get. At the low budget end, you can even print the cards at work or at home on cheap paper. Better quality card stock is obviously more professional-looking but also more expensive, and professional printers even more so. I leave it up to the individual.

Lulz/Win Rating:

There’s quite a lot of lulz to be had from viral marketing, and a lot of win to be had from new converts to the cause. Overall, this scheme has great returns on relatively low investment, and some good fun into the bargain.