As stated by Mikhaylova, these include the action being carried by a group not accountable to authorities, performing premeditated acts, staying in agreement with their values, and being motivated by a concern for justice of society. Additionally, she explains the difference between hacktivists and hacker, claiming that hacktivists differ from standard criminal hackers, because the criminal or "black-hat" hackers, commit these actions for selfish reasons like "profit or intellectual pursuit". The second part the thesis also goes on to explain how the group operates, again referencing their premeditated acts and hacking skills. Generally, the group will not perform any actions until something occurs. Once a political scandal of sorts happen, they will strike. They do have a set of ethical codes, however. This means that they will not perform any actions that will go against the greater good for society as they see fit. In her interviews with security officials, Mikhaylova is told how the issue with Anonymous, as seen by the officials, is that they cannot be regulated. They organized themselves in a way that makes them work outside the law, which is dangerous. Despite their methods, they have not yet shown direct personal harm like many other criminal hackers and groups. .
Galina Mikhaylova's thesis was written in an extremely professional manner. The thesis was written when she was finishing her requirements for receiving a Master's degree, which is an incredible educational feat. It can be further noted that her thesis was specifically targeted to a committee panel of three professors, which indicates how the thesis had to be written in a clearly objective manner to be approved by the panel. Mikhaylova lacked any direct first-hand evidence to the group that she could've used if she had ever been a part of these groups or involved in the actions these groups performed.