Hackers attack Egyptian gov't sites

[riverwalker]

Hackers attack Egyptian gov't sites; Internet back

By PETER SVENSSON
AP TECHNOLOGY WRITER

NEW YORK -- Hacker activists started attacking Egyptian government websites on Wednesday, apparently taking them offline soon after the country restored Internet service.

An Internet forum run by a loose international group that calls itself "Anonymous" directed participants to attack the websites of the Egyptian Ministry of Information and the ruling National Democratic Party. Neither was accessible from New York on Wednesday afternoon.

In a Twitter post, the group claimed credit for taking down the ministry's website and said the group was motivated by a desire to support Egyptian protesters.

The same group rallied to support WikiLeaks in November and December, attacking websites of companies it saw as hampering the document-distribution site.



and the message from Anonymous:
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/february022011/anyn-egypt.php


Message from Anonymous to Egyptians in Tahrir Square
Salem-News.com

Sisters and Brothers in Tahrir Square,
Sisters and Brothers of Egypt...
Demonstrators on Army Truck in Tahrir Square, Cairo
Flickr photo: Demonstrators on Army Truck in Tahrir Square, Cairo

(CAIRO) - We wish we could be there with you and everywhere else where human beings are faced with repression, fear, violence and suffering at the hands of their governments. Our thoughts, prayers, and minds are with you. The courage you demonstrate in your struggle is a lesson to us all. The world is behind you. Whilst we cannot be with you in the flesh and blood to suffer as you do, we want to make sure you know that you are not alone.

Rest assured your fight is not in vain. Your President has shown the world his true face today. President Mubarak might have his law behind him, but there is something above all laws: Truth. Your truth has been suppressed for far too long, beaten into the ground through the use of secret police, torture, and many similarly deplorable tactics that we are witnessing today at the Tahrir Square and all over Egypt. But nothing can quell your voice, not any more, and certainly not Mubarak and his gang for hire. You demonstrated your power today standing your ground against the thugs of Mubarak. Of course, you don't know what the future will be, but you know what it should be. You demonstrated your resolve in Tahrir square and in all the streets of Egypt, and if you were able to stand your ground today you will be able to stand your ground tomorrow, and the day after that. On Friday you will march, and there will be no one able to stop you. As you stand united, you are sending a message to all who would seek to rob your country through corruption.

The rest of the world follows the events in Egypt with great hope. The Arab world is showing all citizens the strength and the value of what Mankind really is about. While our governments hesitate to show solid support for your actions, know that your sisters and brothers in the digital world stand beside you in that square. We will never leave you behind, we are here for you.

Your voice is being heard. Today you are not only fighting for Egypt. You are fighting for all of Mankind. And Mankind sides with you. We are you, you are us. Together we are Anonymous.

Yours faithfully,
Anonymous
We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.
We love you.
Expect us.

[Hardrada]

1. Is this the first actual internet war?

[AnnieBW]

5. Russia-Georgia

The Russia-Georgia dustup in '08 is generally considered the first cyber war.

[DCKit]

2. Someone please tell me this also disrupted government email.

"Send to all" is a tool capable of enabling mass suppression. Gotta make 'em go back to dialing those numbers one at a time.

[gateley]

3. I LOVE this! Power to the People!! nt

[One Voice]

4. K & R !

Great letter! Thanks for posting it!