Even though it is usually celebrated on the other side of the ocean, the protests of Guy Fawkes Day (November 5, 2012) has far-reaching implications. The troubled spirit of the very late Guy ("Guido") Fawkes and the failed Gunpowder Plot is still reaching us some 407 years after. Google News and BBC News have reported that the hacktivist team Anonymous has taken down some very notable websites. These include/d the NBC website (which is back up now), PAYPAL and Lady Gaga's website. Others were included in the hacktivist protest.

If you do have a PayPal account you might still be concerned - some "28,000" PayPal passwords were posted online. We checked ours to be safe and you may want to check yours. Time's newsfeed also reported that the Anonymous organization announced plans to hack Facebook and Zynga this day. Facebook seems to be "normal" - for now - and we have not checked into Zynga. The computer/security firm Symantec is reportedly looking into the hacks. We'll be keeping an eye on Threatpost to see if they report any hacktivism.


Please note that the shadowy Anonymous team does not act at random. Their protests are calculated and meant to shed light on matters that should be of concern to all citizens. It is rare that this columnist takes the viewpoint of a supposedly "radical organization" but the group is genuinely inspired to protest potential threats to civil rights. One of the targeted perceived threats of the movement is something known as Trapwire. The Anonymous Message has posted a video today called "Anonymous: November 5th - Defend Your Freedom [Worldwide Protests]".

It is also notable that the Wikipedia featured article of the day is on Thomas Percy - one of the group associated with The Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The conspiracy is still remembered to this day with Bonfire Night in the UK. Actually, some of our "tweeps" have been posting about it since this weekend - the bonfires still burn as do the online protests. The original plot was developed when the English country was in open revolt. Guy Fawkes (who was caught guarding dozens of barrels of gunpowder) and the gang planned to blow up the Parliament's upper house. That historic day is still commemorated this date in the hacking of websites like PayPal and others by Anonymous.