Hacking group Anonymous have recently been vocal about their opposition to Vladimir Putin's invasion into Ukraine.
Along with threatening the Russian President, the 'hacktivists' claim to have briefly taken down government and news websites, in attempts to cause as much disruption as possible.
However, their identity, if you haven't guessed by now, remains anonymous and their faces are always covered.
But why the mask?
Advert
Well, the faceless hacking collective, who rose to prominence in 2008, have always rocked the 'Guy Fawkes' mask.
The design adopts curling black eyebrows and moustachios sat on a smiling white face with red blushing cheeks.
So, for those unaware, children have been wearing Guy Fawkes masks from the Victorian era or earlier, following Fawkes' failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1606.
In 1846, medical journal The Lancet recorded an incident of 'death from fright' when a small girl died after being terrified by a boy in a red 'Guy Fawkes' mask.
Advert
There a few theories as to what this represents.
Anonymous say the mask represents a 'unifying symbol against the forces that still promote discrimination, corruption, injustice, and oppression in any form in our society today'.
According to their website: "The mask stands for stamping out oppression. It represents the fight for truth and is against all injustice and discrimination, including speciesism."
However, many believe the mask is influenced by the one worn by the revolutionary protagonist of Alan Moore's V for Vendetta comic book, published from 1988 to 1989
Advert
The series is set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic Britain which the title character V tries to liberate.
The Guy Fawkes theme was the idea of David Lloyd, the comic's illustrator, who commented that Fawkes should be celebrated rather than ritually burnt.
The mask only really started being used by protesters following the 2006 V for Vendetta film, which starred Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving.
Anonymous first appeared on online message forums, including 4chan. By 2008, fans of the group were seen wearing the mask during protests against the Church of Scientology.
Advert
Anonymous has since issued attacks on organisations, such as the CIA, Ku Klux Klan, Visa and PayPal, under the flags of causes like libertarianism and anti-capitalism.
Fast forward to 2022, their next target is Vladimir Putin.
Last week (27 February), just days after he declared war against Ukraine, the hacking group issued a chilling warning to the Russian President.
In a video uploaded on social media, they said: “Mr Putin, the ongoing invasion of Ukraine has shown that your regime has no respect for human rights or the self determination of your neighbours.
Advert
“In the past several days a full scale invasion has commenced, civilian neighbourhoods have been bombed and innocent people have been killed.
“Refugees are fleeing the violence and the population is being forced into conscription by Ukrainian officials.
“This is an ugly situation all around but you are the instigator.”
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.
Anish Vij