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Source: ONE News
Computer hackers disabled several Australian government websites
in coordinated attacks protesting against a planned internet filter
aimed at pornography.
The attacks, confirmed by the Attorney-General's Department,
crippled Australia's parliamentary website for almost an hour,
including the Communications Department, which is pushing a
compulsory internet filter for pornography and offensive
content.
The attacks were launched by hackers aligned with an anti-Church of
Scientology group known as Anonymous.
"No government should have the right to refuse its citizens access
to information solely because they perceive it to be 'unwanted',"
the group said in an email.
"The Australian government will learn that one does not mess with
our porn."
Australia's centre-left government, which faces elections later
this year, has promised an internet filter which would block a list
of banned websites, including child abuse material and
pornography.
Laws will be introduced to parliament soon.
Australia's sex industry claims pornographic films are being
rejected by censors because they star small-breasted women who
could be confused as minors and appear under-aged.
A poll this week by McNair Ingenuity Research for the state
broadcaster found 80 percent of the 1,000 respondents backed the
filter plan, which is strongly opposed by free speech groups.
The Communications Department said the hackers had not infiltrated
government security, but had instead swamped government computer
servers.
"Australian Parliament House website was unavailable this morning
for approximately 50 minutes due to a distributed denial of service
attack by individuals belonging to the "Anonymous" group. It is now
back on line," a spokeswoman said.
