Pro-democracy websites under attack on anniversary of protests

The websites of three Burmese opposition news organisations have been put out of service in a sophisticated electronic attack launched by pro-regime hackers, writes Edward Loxton for The First Post.

For the past two days, the three websites - the Democratic Voice of Burma, The Irrawaddy and New Era Journal - have been bombarded by junk mail, overloading the system and closing them down to normal traffic. All were knocked out as they prepared to carry articles and news reports on the first anniversary of last September's anti-regime demonstrations and its brutal suppression by security forces.

The Oslo-based Democratic Voice of Burma and the Thailand-based Irrawaddy and New Era Journal are the top providers of independent news on Burma. All three oppose the military-run government in their editorial line.

The website of The Irrawaddy alone records more than 8 million hits a month, and that number doubles in times of crisis—such as Cyclone Nargis and last September's anti-regime demonstrations.

A similar electronic attack was launched against The Irrawaddy during the September crisis, and DVB was attacked two months ago. The India-based Burma news service Mizzima was also a victim last July.

The attacks usually last two or three days before technicians find ways of diverting or blocking the incoming barrage.

FIRST POSTED SEPTEMBER 18, 2008