Hackers threaten government websites

10 Feb 2010, 8:20 pm   -   Source: SBS staff and agencies
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An online protest group have attacked two government websites in a demonstration against the government's planned internet filter. (Anonymous 'Operation Titstorm' flyer)

An online protest group have attacked two government websites in a demonstration against the government's planned internet filter. (Anonymous 'Operation Titstorm' flyer)

Websites were shut down, public servants received threatening phone calls and pornography was plastered across Kevin Rudd's home page in a major cyber protest against government plans to filter the internet.

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Websites were shut down, public servants received threatening phone calls and pornography was plastered across Kevin Rudd's home page in a major cyber protest against government plans to filter the internet.

The government's Cyber Security Operations Centre discovered the attack was coming on February 5 but was unable to stop the parliament house website going offline and Prime Minister Rudd's site becoming home to "Operation Titstorm".

Internet protest group Anonymous, known for its regular attacks on Scientology websites, was behind the actions which were led by a so-called denial of service charge on www.aph.gov.au.

Just after 8am (AEDT) on Wednesday the parliament's website was hit by 7.5 million requests for communication per second, Parliamentary Services Secretary Alan Thompson told AAP.

"We had some advice in the lead-up to today there was going to be some cyber attack," Mr Thompson said.

Senior staff inside the department also had their emails spammed "in spectacular ways".

High-ranking public servants were telephoned as part of the attack.

"Aggressive but anonymous phone calls are being made to the offices of various parliament house executives," an internal parliamentary services email obtained by AAP said.

While the initial attack was stopped about 9am (AEDT) on Wednesday, further attacks continued throughout the day.

The proposed internet filter would crack down on pornography.

The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy's website also experienced a degraded service, a spokesman from the Attorney-General's Department said.

The spokesman said government agencies identified as potential targets by the group had been briefed on the threat, and were provided with strategies to help stop a hacking attempt.

At 1.30pm (AEDT) the spokesman said the Australian Parliament House website was back online, however, at 2.10pm (AEDT) it was again inaccessible.

Parliament House's fax system was also hit with spam.

Defence Minister John Faulkner said the Cyber Security Operations Centre remained on watch.

"As inquiries are ongoing it would be inappropriate for me to comment further," Senator Faulkner's spokesman said.

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S.N.A.F.U.

Nigel Drake - from Perth, 2 years ago

It is unfortunate for the wielders of power that open minded thinkers now have the possibility of chicanery being exposed at every turn of their perfidious machinations. So, the response is to dim the light so that we might see less clearly; especially those of us whose normal activities preclude our involvement in the quagmire of politics. It is the innocent who will suffer: Those of evil intent will find new and innovative ways to circumvent this attempt at social engineering.

Thankyou Anonymous

Joe144 - from Noosa, 2 years ago

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Less Freedom??? We have it or we DON"T "Looking for the common sense"

Thank you Anonymous

Colin - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

Thank you Anonymous. Government take note: Anonymous speaks my words too.

PROBLEM, REACTION, SOLLUTION

puresilk - from nsw, 2 years ago

Such a sick world we live in where everything is backwards."Doctors destroy health, Lawyers destroy Justice, Universities destroy Knowledge. Governments destroy Freedom. The Major Media destroy information and religions destroy spirituality" They are making it more and more obvious that they want their metropolis, 1984, Brave new world. First comes the dumbing down, then cutting off free speech,freedom and information. then depopulation. So wish my family could be free to live life and evolve

Just a net user's comment

Howard - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

There are certain types of internet sites that already have a type of ban on them, such as child porn, beastiality, and maybe others, especially on search engines.. criminal elements will always find a way around it. Even i know how to use a proxy to access a site if i needed to, but i dont. What i would like to know is what will happen to google when you type in the word pussy when you meant a cat, or type in the word dick when you meant richard, or even the greek island of lesbos ?

FILTER

Steve - from Perth, 2 years ago

The Rudd government and Conroy wants to force their own moral code on everyone else. Well sorry I dont want your warped viewed of what this world is, I want to access information that I choose and make my own decision, not what you think is good for me to see. Today it is some forms of porn and this is only as a justifucation to impose this and tommorrow it will be other things they decide is not good for us.

Freedom

Kyle - from Australia, 2 years ago

This isn't about porn, this is about freedom. Today they want to filter porn. What will they want to filter tomorrow? Criticizing the government? How soon till we're China?

It's about free speech

Jason - from Vic, 2 years ago

I don't agree with everything Anon does but in this I support them fully. I believe than child pornography is horrendous and destroys young lives but filtering the Internet isn't the answer. With 5 days warning the government couldn't stop the DoS attacks on known severs. How can they expect to stop the flow of illegal material from an unknown source to a unknown receiver. This filter will only effect legitimate Internet users as the criminals will find ways around it.

Rock on

Torm - from Huntington beach, 2 years ago

I suppose it wasn't long after the first book was written that somebody tried to burn it. today we live in a world where ideas can be shared over international computer networks, and mirroring the book burners of yesteryear people who would tell us what to read and what to think are lining up to block access to information they don't want us to see. We all should be brave enough to raise our voices against this pernicious restriction of the free flow of information.

Freedom

Another collective voice - from Canberra, 2 years ago

A group who have the power to block access to any website that they choose. The Australian Government thinks its wrong... when its not them. As an Australian I am against this internet filter. In no way do I condone Child pornography in any way I just feel it's an attack against our freedom. These protests may do more harm then good in the long run. This group may have gone about it in the wrong way but their hearts are in the right place. They have drawn much needed attention to this topic.

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