Anonymous, the hacker collective that’s been keeping the government on edge, is now being plagued by wannabes, using their name in recruiting people to join their malicious cause and promoting shady sites.

Earlier, I mentioned in my report that Anonymous already denied that they are connected to the Facebook takedown, announced by  AnonymousVoice777 in a now removed YouTube clip.  The hacktivists have since clarified that they will not attack Facebook, and that any attack made to the social networking site by anyone claiming to be a part of Anonymous is not by sanctioned by them.

“ATTN: We do not have any plans to target Facebook. Such operations are put together by provocateurs, or trolls, to discredit Anonymous.” – @anonymouSabu

Anonymous also clarified in their Twitter accounts, AnonOps and YourAnonNews, that they are in no way associated with the file sharing site AnonyUpload which claims that they are not a Megaupload replacement, but rather was inspired by the file-sharing service.  Anonymous also stated that the site looks like a scam and goes on insulting it:

“Why would anyone usehttp://AnonyUpload.com when the owner registers the Domain with his real info?http://pastebin.com/R40TFyyQ@OfficialAnonyUp #dox” – @Anonymous_SA

AnonyUpload is registered to one Adrian Jesson living at Sunnyvale, California.

The name-calling did not go well with the AnonyUpload creator as it went on ranting to his Twitter account saying they are not fake and anyone can become Anonymous and encourages people to support the Anonymous Group and not be an Anonymous Member because that’s what he is, a supporter and not a member.

“Because “Anonymous Group” said that Anonyupload is a SCAM. But it’s wrong we will open in the evening I don’t understand Anonymous” – @Officialanonyup

I don’t really know why anyone would want to use their service anyway, since the maker clearly states on their page the various reasons as to why you shouldn’t use it.  Users do not have any control over the files uploaded on the site and it is not secured.  Even PayPal thinks the site is shady, closing their account, but the site nevertheless promises to open on Friday.

Ask yourself, would you use AnonyUpload just “because it is fun and technically interesting”?

Speaking of file-sharing sites, I mentioned in an article that RapidShare might be one of the next sites targeted by the authorities.  Fast Company had the opportunity to have a quick word with RapidShare’s attorney and spokesman Daniel Raimer, who clarified that they are not to be compared or likened to Megaupload because they provide services much like Dropbox, iCloud, SkyDrive and other branded file sharing/storage sites.

Raimer admitted that there are pirated files in their locker, about 5%, but he stated that the percentage of pirated content should not be the basis of shutting down a site, but whether the site is aiding in piracy.