Can we just have a moment to appreciate that sometimes hacking is good for the soul? Maybe it’s because I secretly wish I could be a hacker, or maybe it’s because I believe in transparency from institutions owned by the public.
Who knows, but the fact that some unknown hackers shut down all of SABC’s websites is pretty cool.
Around midday Sunday, the public broadcaster’s main site, along with their 5fm and SAfm sites, were the subjects of a DDoS attack, led by a group called Anonymous Africa. According to Webopedia:
DDoS is short for Distributed Denial of Service. DDoS is a type of DOS attack where multiple compromised systems, which are often infected with a Trojan, are used to target a single system causing a Denial of Service (DoS) attack.
Victims of a DDoS attack consist of both the end targeted system and all systems maliciously used and controlled by the hacker in the distributed attack.
The DDoS attack uses multiple computers and Internet connections to flood the targeted resource. DDoS attacks are often global attacks, distributed via botnets.
Claiming it as the biggest cyber-attack of its kind in South Africa, the group is responding to the SABC’s alleged censorship developments, including the banning of screening violent protests and radio stations reading news headlines.
DDoS attacks are an increasing form of protest, and more than ever it is important to ensure your cyber-security is on point.
The group sent out a warning at 2:30 on Sunday morning:
Follow Anonymous Africa HERE for more.
[source: enca]
