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Here's How To Help Anonymous Troll ISIS

by Chris Tognotti

On Monday, as detailed by International Business Times, the Internet's most visible hacktivist collective laid out its plan to turn Friday, Dec. 11 into a day of mockery for one of the world's worst terrorist organizations. Anonymous wants this Friday to be "Troll ISIS Day," and they've got a very particular vision for how it should all go down.

It's been a matter of public knowledge and widespread reporting for more than a year now that the militant Islamic terrorist group is very active on social media, whether through its active members, sympathizers, or would-be recruits. After the attacks in Paris last month, ISIS Twitter (as you might call it) was seized with celebration and enthusiasm, using the hashtag #ParisIsBurning.

Anonymous, on the other hand, has been running anti-ISIS operations online for weeks now. Back in November, the group reported that it had successfully shut down more than 5,500 ISIS-linked Twitter accounts. That's no small thing, considering the vital role of social media in the terrorist group's outreach efforts. So what's the idea? It's pretty simple: On Friday, Anonymous wants people to "show your support and help against ISIS by joining us and trolling them."

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Now obviously, not everybody knows exactly how to troll — much less if the target is an infamous terrorist organization. So a little helpful advice from Anonymous could go far. However, first things first: Before deciding that you're going to troll, you should definitely remember that ISIS is, you know, a brutally violent terrorist group. As such, you should exercise your own best judgment and probably not be too transparent — you'd do well to follow Anonymous' example and keep your identity and location a mystery. Here are the trolling suggestions which Anonymous has put out. (It's been cleaned up for spelling and punctuation, but the words are unchanged.)

Troll ISIS On Twitter

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In a document outlining their plans, Anonymous offers up a slew of tips for doing a little righteous trolling, including the use of the off-color hashtag #Daeshbags. Daesh is an acronym for ISIS in Arabic, and one they reportedly hate, to the point of cutting off people's tongues who are heard saying it. Here's what Anonymous is calling for:

  • Post mocking photos of ISIS.
  • Use #Daesh and #Daeshbags.
  • Post photos of goats while @ing ISIS members with captions talking about their wives.
  • Use #'s that many ISIS members use and post mocking photos.
  • While again using #'s ISIS members use call them out on being Daesh.
  • First @ ISIS members call the attention of all your friends to them to suspend.
  • While using #'s known for Isis members to use post photos of dead ISIS members.
  • Lets try to get #Daeshbags trending.

Troll ISIS On Instagram

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Typically, when you think about Instagram, you probably don't think about ISIS or international terrorism so much as photos of your trip to the beach. But Anonymous is also calling for Instagram users to get in on the act.

Troll ISIS On YouTube

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Needless to say, YouTube is a one-stop shop for plenty of the Internet's trolliest moments, and Anonymous wants to ensure that it's no safe haven for ISIS supporters when Friday rolls around. Don't feel yourself under any obligation to follow their second suggestion here if you don't want to — posting images of dead bodies isn't a great pastime, no matter the cause.

Troll ISIS On Facebook

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That's right, don't forget Facebook. It may primarily be the place where you clash with your friends, family, and acquaintances about all those political things you simply can't agree about, but they've also got some ISIS-related accounts on their hands. Anonymous' first suggestion on this one is particularly worthwhile; Facebook has been active in trying to force ISIS-related accounts off its platform.

  • Find ISIS accounts and out them to all of your friends asking to report.
  • Openly call them Daesh and Daeshbags.
  • Spread mocking photos of ISIS.