Cyber Attack On Burmese Media Groups

Terry Evans

18 September 2008

Cyber Attack On Burmese Media Groups

A number of exiled Burmese media groups suffered cyber attacks yesterday. Their websites were disabled when the IP addresses were blocked by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS).

Tomorrow is the first anniversary of the monk-led uprising known as the "Saffron Revolution". Internet speeds in Burma have been very slow since the cyber attack, suggesting that there has been a concerted effort to prevent information flow into and out of the country.

Burmese bloggers played a major role in transmitting information from Burma during last year's massive anti-government protests and the violent crackdown that ensued. The technically savvy bloggers posted up-to-date news and photos that captured the attention of the world.

Recently Burma's ruling generals, shaken by the success of the pro-democracy bloggers, have increased surveillance on internet cafes forcing many bloggers to operate underground.

ENDS

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