Hackers Shut Down (Mubarak) Government Sites

[kpete]

Source: New York Times

Hackers Shut Down Government Sites
By RAVI SOMAIYA
Published: February 2, 2011


Anonymous, a loosely defined group of hackers from all over the world, gathered about 500 supporters in online forums and used software tools to bring down the sites of the Ministry of Information and President Hosni Mubarak’s National Democratic Party, said Gregg Housh, a member of the group. The sites were unavailable Wednesday afternoon.

The attacks, Mr. Housh said, are part of a wider campaign that Anonymous has mounted in support of the antigovernment protests that have roiled the Arab world. Last month, the group shut down the Web sites of the Tunisian government and stock exchange in support of the uprising that forced the country’s dictator, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, to flee.

Mr. Housh said that the group had used its technical knowledge to help protesters in Egypt defy a government shutdown of the Internet that began last week. “We want freedom,” he said of the group’s motivation. “It’s as simple as that. We’re sick of oppressive governments encroaching on people.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/world/middleeast/03hackers.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1296698435-dRFWwoY0xx/KlePoI8dvzQ

[musette_sf]

1. As we used to say back in the day,

ON STRIKE

SHUT IT DOWN

K&R

[DeSwiss]

12. Shut It Down. Shut It All Down!

K&R

[Occulus]

18. Shut it down! Shut it down forever!

I loved that movie. What a great concept.

[FailureToCommunicate]

38. ?? (Don't know the reference.)

[siligut]

45. The movie Dark City

"A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun and run by beings with telekinetic powers who seek the souls of humans."

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118929/

[FailureToCommunicate]

50. Thanks. Not sure how I missed that one, though the late 90's

were a bit of a blur (raising twins).

[Shining Jack]

53. I love that movie!

I saw it at least a brazillion times. :)

[snappyturtle]

2. Self made Karma....good for anonymous. nt

[Avalux]

3. Anonymous strikes again. +1000 n/t

[gateley]

4. Here's the letter Anonymous sent to the People of Egypt:

(riverwalker posted it here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=333777&mesg_id=334411)

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.


http://www.salem-news.com/articles/february022011/anyn-egypt.php

[sabrina 1]

15. I love Anonymous whoever they are! They care about people!

So refreshing to see so many people of the world joining together to help each other out. It's a new world.

We are all Globalists now!

[Knight Hawk]

60. Hope so..............

I certainly hope it is the beginning of a New World but do not underestimate the Old World.These people ,such as Mubarak,are not going to go silently into the night.Unfortunately as of right now ,Wednesday about noon,I fear very strongly that Mubarak is going to win this one.Unfortunately when Obama/Clinton tried to stare Mubarak down it looks like Obama/Clinton blinked.And our wonderful Israeli "friends" have come down on Mubarak's side.Obama could have been so much more .The saddest words in the English language are "what might have been".

[Alameda]

79. Good Lord, I hope not, but I think it may be true....please NOoooo

[Maraya1969]

86. I hope you do not mean that last statement about Obama in regards to his

Presidency in general. And I do not think Mubarak is going to win. In the Old World they did not have the electronic weapons.

[Knight Hawk]

89. Both sides..............

have electronic weapons.And the leaders of Egypt have plenty of real waepons also.Mubarak and his crowd will win in the sense that the freedom fighters on the streets of Cairo will not have a freer better life a year from now.I hope I am wrong but the establishment controlling Egypt ,its just not all Mubarak,will not give up there power and lifestyle very easily to say the least.Who or whst is going to force them to share their power and bread with the unwashed masses?I am no fan of Mao but he was right about one thing "power comes from the end of a gun".

[sabrina 1]

93. I can't disagree with anything you say.

[chervilant]

16. YES!!!!!!!

HAPPY FEET, HAPPY FEET, HAPPY FEET, HAPPY FEET!!!!!

The actions of these brave souls, in solidarity with the oppressed among us, gives me great hope that our global revolution will prevail in spite of the corporate megalomaniacs who would have us sit down and shut up.

[goforit]

59. Hit the nail on the head! Not gov't...but the corporations who

are destroying the freedoms of humanity and the ecosystems of our Earth.

[rosesaylavee]

29. 'Mankind'? Either a non-American or a guy wrote that...

Otherwise - yay for them. Hopefully they will incorporate more inclusive language as they move ahead. Considering that this revolution was started by a young girl's vlog, I expect a little more respect for the women participating in this endeavor.

[femrap]

64. Anonymous must

be from the UK or was schooled there....the use of the word, 'Whilst.'

I wish I could work with this organization.

'Mankind'....yes, I have problems with that as well. Best just to say 'People' or 'Humans.' Alas, sexism....the last 'ism.'

[rosesaylavee]

65. Yes, probably UK and that they seem to have patterned themselves

on V for Vendetta. I do like what they have done so far but am not completely comfortable with their lack of structure. We like what they have done now but what if we don't down the road? To whom do we appeal for reparation? So far. So good but feeling cautious just the same.

And yes, hopefully the last ism. Would prefer 'humankind'.

[Gore1FL]

91. If you go with the second definition.

In the The first definition
MANkind comes from huMAN not gentleMAN and sex is not implied.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mankind

[rosesaylavee]

92. Of course, being male, you are used the language reflecting your personal identity

It may be futile for me to state this, but imagine a world where pronouns and general group names referred to females only and you were told to accept that it really included you as well. It's kinda like that. Sad thing is, I've been having this same discussion now for 30 years. I'm a bit impatient with the slowness of the change and hope you don't take it personally.

[meow2u3]

35. A bit of history: the real reason Mubarak has been dictator for so long

Mubarak came to power in Egypt after the assassination of Anwar Sadat. It makes me wonder if Mubarak was behind Sadat's slaying.

on edit: rephrased

[loudsue]

47. Man! That gives me chills!!!

I only wish Americans would rise up against the corporate masters that rule us here at home.

[TatonkaJames]

61. We're to afraid - GW and his goon squad made fear a reality

Who in this country, holding down two jobs or both parents working and just getting by
is going to march of Washington for weeks ? We don''t have it in us since the GWB
administration struck fear into us for years after 9/11.
Nah, Americans are interested in video games and guns and partying.
I feel ashamed to be one sometimes. (my Michele Obama moment)
It would be nice to do here but no one is willing. That's the sad part.
I'd live on a candy bar for months if we could only do the same.

[likesmountains 52]

5. My, how revolution has changed in my lifetime...nice

[snot]

6. K&R'd

[GodlessBiker]

7. Good work, Anonymous!

[NBachers]

8. This is really thrilling shit going on here- I've got tears in my eyes

So how do I send money to Anonymous?

[boppers]

21. Anonymous doesn't need money...

...not anymore than a peasant with a pitchfork needs money *more* than simply having another peasant with a pitchfork beside them.... be that virtual (with Anonymous) or real (in the Square today).

Now, if you found the offices of a PropH8 supporter with an open WiFi spot, and could launch a LOIC attack from there, that's another thing.... but don't launch attacks, or give support, without realizing what the dangers are. Jail time is real, even if the internet seems like it isn't.

If you *really* want to send money instead of work and personal risk, try wikileaks, piratebay, or your local "hacker", "linux", "opensource", or "free software" collectives and user groups.

They, of course, will have no idea what Anonymous is, or why you are donating. NO IDEA WHATSOEVER.

Which is, of course, the point.

[defendandprotect]

9. Thank you Anonymous -- cheers to you all -- !!

[madmax]

10. K&R

[EFerrari]

11. K&R

[DisgustipatedinCA]

13. kick ass, anonymous

Don't forget to knock out the Egyptian stock market if you can hit it. If he won't leave, burn it down to the ground.

[Overseas]

14. K&R ! //nt

[wisteria]

17. And, how is this helpful? n/t

[grahamhgreen]

20. It shows solidarity, as should America.

[wisteria]

43. Solidarity? No, it is an act of sabotage. And, short of getting into a war with Mubarak, our

administration has shown major support for the anti-government protesters.

[grahamhgreen]

52. Has he given the protesters 2 billion dollars? Has he cut aid to Mubarak? Has

he suggested Mubarak consider stepping down now? I have not seen it.

What I see is the administration trying to give the appearance of supporting the protesters, while actually supporting Mubarak.

The websites are not permanently damaged, so I don't know if I would call it sabotage, but it does show solidarity, even if you do call it sabotage, IMHO.


solidarity

1. (countable) A bond of unity between individuals, united around a common goal or against a common enemy, such as the unifying principle that defines the labor movement.

2. (uncountable) Willingness to give psychological and/or material support when another person is in a difficult position or needs affection.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/solidarity

[Knight Hawk]

63. Yes

You nailed it.Obama simply was not seasoned enough to handle this type of crises.Mubarak is a tough old bird ,was a pilot in the Egyptian Air Force .He has very little respect for talk.He has to be given an offer he cannot refuse .Obama just does not have the "fire in the belly" that most powerful leaders have.

[wisteria]

69. "Fire in the Belly" as you state is often reactionary and results in less positive results.

In a situation like this one with so much at stake, cool heads should prevail. And, President Obama is "seasoned" enough to deal with a crisis like this with a cool head and with the advice of "seasoned" advisors, both in the military and state.

[Knight Hawk]

81. Cool heads...............

Cool heads have to be backed up with the the threat of force ............with the other party knowing that you are ready,willing and able to act if negotiations do not work.JFK backed Khruchev and the Russians down in the Cuban missle crises ONLY because Khruchev believed that JFK was going to ACT if the Russian ships did not turn around.Lets see how playing 3D chess with the current thugs leading Egypt plays out. My prediction : The freedom lovers in the streets will be defeated just like the Iranians were in 2009 as our leaders talk,hope and pray.And of course listen to their Israeli masters.

[mdmc]

26. it is all hope and change

hopey changey

hope and change are sometimes helpful..

[LanternWaste]

34. Removal/denial of opposition propaganda...

Removal/denial of opposition propaganda is a very useful tool to prevent the dissemination of that propaganda.

[wisteria]

44. So you are for stopping freedom of speech if you don't agree with it?

And, don't you think some of the information you are receiving in support of the anti-government protesters is propaganda for the sake of removal/denial?

[LanternWaste]

48. I'm neither advocating nor arguing one position

I'm neither advocating nor arguing one position over the other. Merely answering the initial question posed, so I'm afraid your fallacious questions are irrelevant to my reponse. :shrug:

It would seem I was wholly mistaken in assuming your question was sincere and without agenda. I will try to avoid that in the future; and I will afford your question and your response all due merit.

[wisteria]

71. I assumed, based on your enthusiasm regarding the hacking, that you had chosen a side.

And, an agenda I do not have, and if I did, what would it be? I only wish for the best outcome for all parties involved. I do not see this as a struggle against good and evil-both sides have warts, so to speak. I am trying to see all sides and in doing so, I have picked up on a lot of hypocrisy and propaganda being spread by those who support the anti-government protesters.

[Lordquinton]

88. I'm not sure which side you are supporting

For starters, there are no anti-government protests in Egypt, there are anti-Mubaric protests, however. You have also fallen into the dangerous trap of "everyone does it" and paint both the Mubaric security forces, and the Protesters with the same brush, while the truth is that the protesters have been peaceful, and the security forces have come out with full force. Anonymous had a message of solidarity to deliver, and they did it in a means that was harmless, certainly more harmless than burning a building. They delivered the continuing message to the people of Egypt that they are not alone, while showing Mubaric that he's not in control of the internet, others can do what he did to the country.

I must ask, why is it OK for governments to do something, but when the people make the same gesture back they get labeled as terrorists? Why are you hare and promoting this dangerous concept?

[grahamhgreen]

54. Mubarak is clearly calling fire in a crowded theatre when he lies about the nature of the protestors

being violent, looting criminals.

[Hydra]

66. Mubarak shut down the interent for the protesters

Fair is fair.

[wisteria]

72. It has since been retored. And, since when does it solve anything by resorting to the same level? n/

[Hydra]

80. Are you going to bring out the Ghandi argument?

For as much as this is a "principle" it has to work. If it doesn't, people died for nothing.

The Anons did good work- they showed tangible solidarity while sending a message to the people at the top: you aren't totally in control.

[Matariki]

82. blah blah blah.

It's awesome. :P

[decidedlyso]

19. Great job anonymous. Freedom-loving people everywhere thank

you.

[indimuse]

22. KNR! n/t

[Bryn]

23. K&R

[xchrom]

24. ...

:applause:

[mdmc]

25. r

[lonestarnot]

27. K & R!

[lunatica]

28. This is pretty damn amazing.

Wow. Things sure have changed.

[tomg]

30. K n R

[Moody]

31. K & R!

[DemoTex]

32. Sounds like Lisbeth Salander and "Hacker Republic."

Life often imitates art.

[BlueMTexpat]

37. LOL - great minds!

I absolutely love those novels!

[loudsue]

49. LOL! So true! Great reads, those.

We have Wikileaks, the Sea Shepard, Anonymous, and Amnesty International. Those are the ones right off the top of my head who give us hope.

We need a longer list... anyone?

edited for spelling

[Pacifist Patriot]

78. That was my thought when I started hearing about Anonymous.

I really need the fourth book.

[GrannyK]

83. Lizbeth Salander - I've been thinking the same thing, and

wondering if Larsson was somehow influenced to write those books about her, using wickileaks as inspiration.

I just happened to pick up the last one first to read, because I had no knowledge that it was the last of a trilogy, or about the author. (My husband brought it home from the library along with some other books.)

After finally reading the first one last, it hit home that Larsson, an excellent word smith, would not be writing more. And the fact those three were his only books published. I actually grieved about his death.

[JNelson6563]

33. I love it!

Awesome.

[FailureToCommunicate]

36. K & R

[Raksha]

39. Beautiful!!! K & R

[valerief]

40. Bravo, Anonymous! Bravo, Egypt!

:applause:

[texshelters]

41. Next step

freeze Mubarak's assets so he can't leave the nation while stealing millions. That would really make them a target.

Go anonymous. Makes we wish I had stayed in that programming class...

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[bread_and_roses]

42. K & R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (n/t)

[loudsue]

46. We want freedom". "We're sick of oppressive governments encroaching on people"

Oh yeah. Say it. :applause:

[Hutzpa]

51. VIVA!!! La Democracy

:kick:

[Shining Jack]

55. K&R

Oh the irony.

[FlyByNight]

56. "We’re sick of oppressive governments..."

Hear hear!!

:applause:

[goforit]

62. Remember, its corporations supporting these oppressive gov'ts.

[shellgame26]

57. nice

[Uncle Joe]

58. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

[TBF]

67. Anonymous rocks. nt

[DesertDiamond]

68. Hackers are turning out to some of the heroes of this era!

[katty]

70. yeah, we're SICK of it!! Obama, come on-step up to the plate!

[wisteria]

74. How long have you been sick of it? And, have you expressed this to your representitives

and our President in the past?

[katty]

76. for 20 yrs+ and I have no need to answer to you

[AsahinaKimi]

73. I wish Anonymous would

Bring down Fox News..

[boycottfaux]

75. CLAP, CLAP, APPLAUSE

BRAVO to the hackers . .

POWER TO THE PEOPLE OF EGYPT!!!

[AllyCat]

77. Has Anonymous been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize?

They could share it with Assange

[Oceansaway]

84. K&R...n/t

[texastoast]

85. Well done, Anonymous!

:thumbsup:

[Swampguana]

87. kick

[marasinghe]

90. off topic: i guess Mr. Housh is no longer anonymous.

here's to mr. anonymous, anyway.
:toast: