OpCartel Update: Status of Anonymous Operation Against Mexican Cartels Unknown

Imagine that you’re a wannabe hacker in Mexico. You self-identify as a member of Anonymous (there’s no entrance exam), you may blog and tweet and hang out in IRC. You might even have a Guy Fawkes mask and a rep around school as a “hacker” even though you really don’t know exactly what you’re doing. Cool huh? So imagine your surprise when you discover those “Anonymous Threatens Mexican Drug Cartels” headlines spreading like wildfire across the globe. Ay, caramba! Feeling a little nauseous?

That’s how Anons in Mexico must have felt because they couldn’t distance themselves from this threat fast enough – reportedly posting disclaimers on the web, Twitter, and Facebook. Now there’s even speculation that the threat was a hoax. Getting to the bottom of this may not be entirely possible due to the decentralized nature of the group. Anyone can claim membership, publicize a target, even carry out their own attacks. This may trigger internal debates, even wars, but it’s not like that hasn’t happened before.

In the end, this is a dangerous game whatever the intent. Even if it is a hoax it could still get some Mexican script kiddies preemptively slaughtered. If it isn’t a hoax and cartel members, or their associates, get doxed (exposed) even more people will die.

So, it’s not a good time to be a talkative wannabe hacker in Mexico. My advice? Lay low and stay low.

Recommended on Twitter: @Sm0k34n0n. Anonymous account and original source of the threat against the cartels.