US Hackers Hit Al-Jazeera

Seamax ^ | 4/1/2003 | Mark Magro

[Hugenot]

If you logged on to Al-Jazeera late last week, you were in for quite a surprise. An American group hacked the Arab world's most popular news channel website, diverting all log-ons to a picture of an American flag with the words "Let Freedom Ring" on the bottom.

These hackers were able to impersonate Al- Jazeera employees in order to gain temporary control of the network's Arab and English web sites. After that, they redirected all users who logged onto the page to their own site.

The group "Freedom Cyber Force Militia" has claimed responsibility for the hacking, which was corrected hours later.

"Certainly, it has been hacked," acknowledged Jihad Ali Ballout, a spokesman for Al-Jazeera. He described the attack as "a frontal, vicious attack on freedom of the press" and urged anyone with information to contact authorities.

Network Solutions Inc. apologized for the mistake and is taking measures to insure that such an event can be avoided in the future.

This event is a rare example of non- bloody retailation in the 21st century. These Americans are finding ways to make a statement without physically harming others. Although it isn't the most noble way to make a message, it sure beats suicide bombers.

[txradioguy]

For the first time in my life.....I have to thank computer hackers for using their smarts to do something good!

[martin_fierro]

Funny (adult) CNN parody .

[NoClones]

Go get 'em!

[txrangerette]

AJ called it an attack on "freedom of
the Press".

They MEAN "freedom to spread Arab anti
American lies".

Poor babies...

[grobdriver]

He described the attack as "a frontal, vicious attack on freedom of the press"

All your freedoms are belong to us!

[beaversmom]

Although it isn't the most noble way to make a message

I think it's noble.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

What they put on that "news" website is currently my desktop wallpaper.

[philetus]

Yep, it's too bad Network Solutions Inc. is taking measures to insure that such an event can be avoided in the future.

No hacker could get into Al-Jazeera's site now.
Yep, none of them hackers are good enough to get past Network Solutions Inc.

Great job though.

[Mr. Mojo]

Kudos to our pimple-faced hacker geeks!

[DED]

I''m sure you MEANT to say "homicide" bombers.
The same kind of irony is found on the Islamic website "innovative minds" (an irony of its own - when was the last time Islam produced anything innovative - when the Taj Mahal was built?)
They have two never-ending tearjerking tales of a couple of young homicide bombers, and how evil Israel FORCED them to blow themselves up and kill a bunch of innocent bystanders, then 1) complain about the 'immorality' of whatever "Zionists" got their website booted by threatening a boycott, and 2) wonder why they get so many nasty e-mails.

[DED]

Are you sure you understand what you meant to say? Or did you say what you meant to understand?

[johnfl61]

Keep up the good work, hackers

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

I'm quite sure I understand what I said. I'll slow it down for you; what the hackers displayed as the Al Jazeera homepage with the US flag was a photo circulating on Yahoo. That image now resides as my desktop wallpaper.

Understand now? Super.

[lilylangtree]

Salute to Freedom Cyber Force Milita! You do good work.

[MHGinTN]

All your Jazeera are belong to us