Hackers attack global International Women's Day website in attempt to foil activity

[JanDutchy]

Source: Press Release IWD

LONDON March 7, 2011: As midnight struck in the Asia Pacific region, perpetrators targeted the global internationalwomensday.com website in a massive attack.

As the Centenary of International Women's Day (IWD) struck in the Asia Pacific region, perpetrators commenced attacking the internationalwomensday.com website in an explicit attempt to prevent users from accessing the global hub for International Women's Day. The attack was countered but a second major attack on the website struck as Europe was waking. The second attack was eventually countered with service restored intermittently.

Women's groups, charities, governments, corporations, schools, universities, the media and women around the world have all geared up for the biggest International Women's Day ever. Almost 2,000 events are occurring around the world with many further events happening online.

Performer and social activist, Annie Lennox, who leads the International Women's Day mass march across London's Millennium Bridge for charity 'Women for Women' said that the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day is "a moment in time". The day, marked by millions around the world, celebrates the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future.

Founder of the internationalwomensday.com website, women's campaigner and Australian entrepreneur Glenda Stone, said "We are monitoring the attack but women's spirits will not be dampened by the malicious attempts of those who do not support International Women's Day. Activity around the world will continue to mark the day's significance as millions of women rise to campaign for equality and celebrate achievement." .

Almost 2,000 events have been posted on the website by women and organisations around the world. Thousands of websites link to the http://www.internationalwomensday.com website. International Women's Day is most actively celebrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Australia and India although activity occurs in almost all countries and is increasing.

Last month on February 28, President Obama officially proclaimed the whole month of March as Women's History Month in the United States


Read more: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/pressrelease2.asp

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Happy Womensday!

Girl Power Quick Response :" The IWD website was brought down for approximately one hour while the attack was countered. "

[ellenrr]

1. Happy IWD to you too!

one of the few holidays I celebrate
(along with my birthday and halloween).
:)

[BlueMTexpat]

2. That link is STILL down for me, right now.

Nonetheless, HWD, Sisters!

Here's a link to the UN website: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/iwd/ which still seems to be working.

[SpiralHawk]

3. The k and the r

My vestal candle burns in support and respect...

[SkyDaddy7]

4. Woman Rock!! nt.

[madrchsod]

5. china.....

[The Doctor.]

6. My first thought too.

China has a very sophisticated hacking program though. So I'm not sure.

[David__77]

7. It's actually observed there officially.

But who knows.

[wickerwoman]

8. Oh please...

because only Chinese hackers are misogynists?

International Women's Day started as a socialist holiday and is much more openly celebrated in communist countries like the Soviet Union and China. Demonstrations on IWD in 1917 were part of the first stage of the Russian revolution. It's very common in those countries for bosses to buy roses for their female staff or to let them have the day off. I got a half-day from my job when I was working in China.

This is far more likely to be the work of porn-addled thirteen year olds from 4chan than a concerted attack by Chinese hackers.

[nalnn]

9. Concurrence

Yeah, most likely it was not because to the content of the targeted site but the laxity of the site's security that invited the attack. Other than that, not many out there would reasonably target that one.