Anonymous hacked by one of its own

Infamous hacktivist group Anonymous has been hacked by one of its own. In a message posted to the AnonOps.in site, the group claimed a former member organised the attack, taking over its AnonOps.ru and .net communications sites and publishing names and IP addresses of users online.

After receiving media attention worldwide when Sony claimed it was unwittingly involved in hacking the PlayStation Network, it seems Anonymous now has its own crisis to deal with.

"We regret to inform you today that our network has been compromised by a former IRC-operator and fellow helper named 'Ryan'," the group claimed.

The hacker brigade strongly advised users to stay clear of the AnonOps network and added: "He decided that he didn't like the leaderless command structure that AnonOps Network Admins use. So he organised a coup d'etat."

After stealing the IP addresses of hundreds of the message board's users, the mysterious Ryan reportedly launched denial-of-service attacks against AnonOps.ru and AnonOps.net, the platforms that provide communications for the group. It is where hundreds of supporters have collaborated when they brought sites such as PayPal and Bank of America offline, and commanded the cyber attacks in support of WikiLeaks last year.

Anonymous is still under attack. Going to AnonOps.net diverts to a page with the title 'LOL ANONOPS DEAD' followed by some rather unpleasant language.

Despite repeatedly denying responsibility for the hack, Anonymous has been in the spotlight since the Chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment, Kazuo Hirai, wrote to US authorities suggesting the group played a role in Sony's massive data breach.

Is it fair to say what goes around comes around? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.