Technology

‘Breaching the Great Firewall’: Anonymous Hacks Hundreds of Chinese Government Websites

After what seemed like a rather lengthy lull, free from major attacks by the hactivist collective Anonymous, reports are that the group has hacked hundreds of Chinese government and some company websites.

(Related: Hacker group takes down the Vatican’s website)

ZDNet reports that nearly 500 websites were part of the attack, which varied in nature depending on the site. Some sites were just defaced, while personal data from other sites were taken and posted on Anonymous China’s Pastebin. The attacks appear to have spanned several days starting on March 30 and the most recent occurring Tuesday evening. Phone numbers and email addresses of what are presumed to be Chinese officials have been leaked.

Anonymous Defaces and Leaks Data From Chinese Government Websites

Screenshot of message on defaced Chinese website. (Image: ZDNet)

Here’s Anonymous’s reasoning for the attack (in English):

Hello, we are Anonymous.

All these years the Chinese Government has subjected their people to unfair laws and unhealthy processes.

People, each of you suffers from tyranny of that regime.

Fight for justice, fight for freedom, fight for democracy!

In the defaces and leaks in this day, we demonstrate our revolt to the Chinese system. It has to stop! We aren’t asking you for nothing, just saying to protest, to revolt yourself, to be the free person you always want to be! So, we are writing this message to tell you that you should protest, you should revolt yourself protesting and who has the skills for hacking and programming and design and other “computer things” come to our IRC: http://2.webchat.anonops.com/ channel: #GlobalRevolution.

We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.

Expect us.

The Wall Street Journal reports the message on defaced sites read:

“Dear Chinese government, you are not infallible, today websites are hacked, tomorrow it will be your vile regime that will fall,” the message read in English. “So expect us because we do not forgive, never. What you are doing today to your Great People, tomorrow will be inflicted to you. With no mercy.”

WSJ reports if there were a reason the attack occurred during this timeframe, it is unknown. It does find it “puzzling” that much of the attack’s language was written in English.

Anonymous Defaces and Leaks Data From Chinese Government Websites

Some sites were still reportedly showing signs of Anonymous’s defacement, but most had regained control. Although this is not the first time Anonymous has targeted China in an attack, ZDNet poses a relevant question: How will the Communist government react?

[H/T TG Daily via Slashdot]

Comments (38)

  • jim1964
    Posted on April 5, 2012 at 3:30pm

    Anonymous is a group of Cowards Who hid behind masks and thier computers. Though It is funny That the Chinese are getting a taste of thier own medicine! it’s Still Wrong Anonymous What goes around come around and thier time is comming!

    Report Post » jim1964  
  • Endstatism
    Posted on April 5, 2012 at 3:17pm

    The Chinese government doesnt like to be challenged. My guess is that they will use their computer experts to strike back at Anonymous or use their intelligence agents to off a few members. Why do you think that Anonymous is not attacking the Russian government? Because they know that FSB agents will be paying social visits and it will not be over a liter of beer

    Report Post » Endstatism  
  • MammalOne
    Posted on April 5, 2012 at 1:19am

    Awesome.

    Report Post » MammalOne  
    • King of Pain
      Posted on April 5, 2012 at 9:12am

      Yes get ready America operation V is coming in October. We will be feeling their pain.

      Report Post » King of Pain  
  • NeoMouser
    Posted on April 5, 2012 at 1:02am

    ok so we KNOW china has been hacking the US for the last few years
    the media barely reported on it
    a ragtag group of hackers from not just the US but all over the world hacks into china
    once and the crud hits the fan?
    i may not always agree with Anonymous but this one time i say good for them .

    Report Post »  
  • a113dean
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 11:34pm

    “We are Legion”? Boy, does that give me the creeps!

    Report Post » a113dean  
  • Netsurfer2
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:56pm

    I really don’t see any great thing in doing such! In a day when the world is at seize from every government’s economic burden and you see the Chinese markets free and open like never before. It is not the Chinese we should be fighting on economics! It is our own government with all their restrictions and temperaments that have led to the destruction of our own economy! We pass so many laws that forbid our country to even do any kind of industry that it is no wonder why things are made over seas! We have so many lawyers working to make sure you will never be able to breath without paying top dollar for that air regardless! Now you say it is their fault? When the worlds corporations have flocked to other lands and remain stable regardless of what happens here! We import people from other countries to do IT here because we don’t have educated people who can do such! Who’s fault is that? Our education has failed us and over ran with drugs and lack of disciplines that require! It is our country that is failing us and you say China is at fault? Your insane to think this! Look around and see the greed! Look at all the debt that is beyond what people can pay and you will find your answer! Your living beyond your means and you look at China as the problem? You want the new IPhone and you pay top dollar for that even though you have massive debts? Yeah, crazy is not even touching the tip of the iceberg!

    Report Post » Netsurfer2  
    • Netsurfer2
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 11:08pm

      You want to fight communism, then I suggest you launch a campain to teach people in saving their money, paying off their debts and buying up our own resources! I suggest your teach your children manners, discipline and ideological thinking that leads to constructive behaviors! We should increase our educational standards beyond what they are doing with theirs and with open box thinking enhancements! We should work to do away with drugs in our society while giving goals that make solid foundations for our youth! It’s so sad how everything has gone downhill here in America! What ever happened to people who really cared?

      Report Post » Netsurfer2  
  • kay2861
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 9:44pm

    I understand the sentiments of those who are congratulating Anonymous for “fighting Communism,” and I hate to be a cynic, but I’m not so sure that I trust this group. They have recently been associated with the Occupy movement, and we know that the Occupy movement is a pro-Socialist/pro-Communist movement. Who is Anonymous and what are their motives? Are they pro-Communist or anti-Communist? Very confusing, but I would not be so quick to trust them.

    Report Post »  
    • AftAgley1
      Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:47am

      No, they can’t be trusted to only attack those who deserve it. The group is clearly made up of intelligent people, but judging by their mindless liberal rhetoric, they don’t have a lot of common sense. I’m pretty sure that the group can be led around by anyone pushing a trendy liberal viewpoint or cause. It’s too bad, they have the power to do a lot of good if they just weren’t so naive.

      Report Post »  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 9:35pm

    If this is a bunch of ‘hackers’ they are in deep doodoo. My bet is this is western gov’t backed.

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 9:11pm

    I am impressed finally by Anonymous. They better watch their back , because the Communist party won’t take this lying down.

    Report Post »  
  • Zog
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:12pm

    Smackdown…..

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReMmXbzOqmM

    Report Post »  
  • Zog
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:11pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReMmXbzOqmM

    Report Post »  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 6:49pm

    “THE_END_IS_NEAR
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 5:53pm
    Thank God someone is fighting Communism…”

    Well said, and an astute observation! Certainly no one in the US government is fighting it, in fact, they are fighting to become communist as fast as they can!

    Report Post »  
    • TRUTHSENSE
      Posted on April 5, 2012 at 12:14am

      The Occupy movement and the growing trend toward socialism/communism is a product of our education system. That is why Obama wants everyone to go to college, so that more can be indoctrinated. Instead of our schools teaching kids about our Constitutional government, they are taught all kinds of social agendas. College graduates don’t even understand our Constitutional government any more. Oh, well. Let’s give them more money so they can indoctrinate more kids.

      Report Post » TRUTHSENSE  
  • copey99
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 6:42pm

    So you hack chinese websites and leave much of the message in english? Huh?

    Report Post »  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:09pm

      I agrre with their message on this topic, but when will they see the truth here in America?

      Report Post »  
  • Juniemoon
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 6:28pm

    Do they think butting into everyone’s business is admirable? Wonder how many people would be killed by the communists, here and there if they tried a revolt based on these self righteous, criminals acts of stupidity? Some where, some how, they are going to be caught and probably go missing for good or get broken fingers and a new arranged facial structure. Mind your own business you moronic moon bats.

    Report Post » Juniemoon  
    • Rowgue
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:01pm

      That’s already happened on several occasions. In one noteable example in one of the rare cases where they actually tried to hack something, they went poking around a mexican drug cartel. The guy that attempted (and failed miserably) to hack them suddenly went missing, and turned up a while later minus one head.

      Report Post »  
    • Onowicit
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:31pm

      @Juniemoon
      So right!

      Report Post » Onowicit  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on April 5, 2012 at 1:30am

      Awsome avitar!!! LOLLOLOLOLOL

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
  • RugDog
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 6:22pm

    I like these guys.

    Report Post » RugDog  
    • Onowicit
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:40pm

      @RugDog
      They are not a them, they are a they and you should be aware of those. They are a we that does not exist and to them that do not exist, is you and I. You and I may be an us but we are not a we nor should we be them. Remember they do not exist, it is a them, and, I am an I, and you are a you ,and that is the way it is supposed to be.

      Report Post » Onowicit  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 6:21pm

    Yawn…and then next week they will rip off a bunch of credit card accounts and ‘donate’ the stolen proceeds to ‘charity’…This group reminds me of bad graffiti….

    Report Post » Mark0331  
  • RULISTENING
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 6:15pm

    Dear FBI:

    If you go to Mom’s basement, you will find several children, taking a break from their recent protesting, who need their priviliges taken away and should be grounded from the new computer mommy got them for Christmas. While you are there, why don’t you get the password to China and take some hacking lessons.

    Report Post »  
  • Echelon
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 6:09pm

    Awesome – payback!

    Report Post » Echelon  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 6:09pm

    They are still cowards. If caught in the US, they’d be thrown in jail. The Chinese would just make them and their families disappear.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • Rowgue
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 6:09pm

    Gotta love that sign: “The corrupt fear us. The honest support us.”

    Nobody does either, they’re all laughing at you. DOS attacks are the internet equivalent of a flash mob. You‘re not accomplishing anything and you’re not affecting anything.

    Report Post »  
    • Onowicit
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:51pm

      @Rowgue
      Don’t you want to just………paintball their stupid faces.

      internet equivalent of a flash mob EXCELLENT!

      Report Post » Onowicit  
  • omgfolks
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 6:04pm

    the fit is going to hit the shan now

    Report Post »  
  • Die Trying
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 6:02pm

    more good work from anon. i like these guys more and more.

    Report Post »  
  • ReaganBaby
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 5:56pm

    Get ready for mass chaos

    Report Post » ReaganBaby  
  • THE_END_IS_NEAR
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 5:53pm

    Thank God someone is fighting Communism…

    Report Post » THE_END_IS_NEAR  
    • Juniemoon
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:36pm

      How are they fighting communism, by breaking into a network? I think you’ll get better results with guns and armoured tanks. One way or the other, it will lead to that.

      These cowards hide behind a computer and use stupid little phrases that someone fears them. they don’t forget, and they don’t forgive? Puleeeze, bunch of kids who think they are all that. They’ll scream like little girls when a real jack boot commie spanks their butts them and sends them to time out. I’d love to see them handle a little pepper spray, lol.

      Report Post » Juniemoon  
    • Onowicit
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:45pm

      @Juniemoon
      Like your style!

      Report Post » Onowicit  
    • Junter
      Posted on April 5, 2012 at 1:10am

      Agree with Juniemoon.

      Sounds like they’re reciting a comic book.

      Report Post »  

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