Cybermob, Pile-ons, Brigading, Dog-piling, volumetric attacks, online mob
These are large groups of online perpetrators who typically form organically around shared perceived grievances or targets, often originating from social media platforms, forums, or gaming communities.
Informal groups represent a challenge to trust & safety teams due to their distributed nature and ability to mobilize quickly. Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is distinct in part due to coordinated tactics like these.
Unlike formal organizations, they lack hierarchical structure, but can be highly effective due to their scale and the anonymity social platforms provide.
Their abuse is characterized by volume - hundreds or thousands of individual attacks that collectively create an overwhelming experience for targets. These campaigns have particularly targeted women in public roles, activists, and anyone perceived as challenging dominant narratives online.
Low to Medium - Participants typically use existing platform features rather than sophisticated technical attacks. The coordination often happens through standard social media tools, direct messaging, or public calls to action.