Hackers Attack AU Websites To Protest Censorship 334
An anonymous reader writes "A band of cyber-attackers has taken down the Australian Parliament House website and hacked Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's website in coordinated protests against government plans to filter the Internet. The group responsible, called Anonymous, is known for coordinated Internet attacks against Scientology and other groups in the past. It recently turned its attention against the AU government after it said in December that it would block access to sites featuring material such as rape, drug use, bestiality and child sex abuse."
Boomerang (Score:5, Informative)
I can't think of anything more likely to validate the government's actions in the eyes of its socially conservative constituents.
Re:Of course (Score:3, Informative)
I think this article deserves some more 4chan sub culture memes. After all
Anon Delivers!
Re:Sure, that sends the right message (Score:3, Informative)
You're right though. And to call Anonymous hackers is hilarious. .js and executing it (something which thousands of users dit themselves expecting something else). /b/tards
We're talking about boards that had its own users infect eachother by saving pictures, renaming them to
Fox once called them "Hackers on steroids", the general public there is a total computer retard and knows how to fire up LOIC and get some sites down but that's it.
It's the numbers that make Anonymous effective, not the brains.
In b4 angry
Re:I believe the concept of Anonymous escapes you (Score:1, Informative)
--
Anonymous Non-cowards
Re:That'll teach 'em. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:That'll teach 'em. (Score:4, Informative)
lol... Senator Joyce is an idiot who was even refuted by his own party on economic policy, and he's the shadow treasurer. He's in opposition and is not part of the government of the day, just so you know.
Re:Boomerang (Score:5, Informative)
Anonymous recently turned its attention against the AU government after it said in December that it would block access to sites featuring material such as rape, drug use, bestiality and child sex abuse.
The summary omitted a few things. For one, the proposed blacklist would target otherwise legal adult sites featuring small-breasted women, with the apparent rationale that anyone who doesn't love giant plastic D-cups must be a pedophile.
Of course, it's a lot easier to vilify Anonymous by saying they're trying to defend CP and donkey porn...
Re:we are legion (Score:2, Informative)
Anonymous Coward. (Score:1, Informative)
Heh. only took me 30 seconds and one page refresh to get a statement from anon....
Open letter concerning Australian Internet Censorship.
To whom it may concern, and for the unaware public.
Do not be confused about the intentions behind our attacks on various Australian government websites. Various media have falsely reported that our efforts are in defence of pornography. This is not about pornography. This is about freedom. The fact remains that under this proposed Internet censorship scheme over time the freedoms of Australians will continue to be eroded, all in the name of saving us from a threat that exists only in the minds of a vocal and very uninformed minority who wish to impose their morals and values on the public at large. We are in no way encouraging child pornography; however other courses of action should be encouraged, for Australia's "Cyber Safety Plan" creates problems in itself.
The fact is that "banned" content can be posted on ANY website, at any time; introducing these tools is only a way to silence the selected few. Once the tools are put into place, they can and will be abused, as it has happened throughout history. Costs to taxpayers are estimated to be $44.2 million. This money could be put to far better use. Furthermore, the creation of such an announced filter is in direct violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Charter of 1948, Article 19; which states: "Everyone has the right of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
Re:That'll teach 'em. (Score:3, Informative)
"Now Conroy wants Google to filter YouTube in Australia"
He was in talks with google to give Australia a China, Thailand deal.
"he is hoping Google will voluntarily do the job for him"
Re:That'll teach 'em. (Score:2, Informative)
Being an idiot doesn't disqualify him from influence - quite the reverse. Logic is an ineffective argument with him.
Re:That'll teach 'em. (Score:2, Informative)
Re:That'll teach 'em. (Score:3, Informative)
Ah, informative but wrong. Joe Hockey is shadow treasurer. Joyce is shadow finance minister.