The hacking collective Anonymous is planning to launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against Iranian government web sites tomorrow (Feb. 11).
Anonymous’ "Operation Iran" is set to begin at 1:00 p.m. local time and is an online protest of what the group called in a press release "the chains of oppression, tyranny and torture."
The DDoS attacks coincide with a day of physical demonstrations set to occur in Iran tomorrow, ostensibly to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the revolution but which last year were usurped by anti-government protesters.
A YouTube video created by the group shows violent scenes of revolt and government oppression, while a digitally-modified voice details Anonymous’ mission:
"To the noble people of Iran: We know how great you are. You have been killed, jailed, tortured and silenced by the illegal regime which has hijacked your country for the past 32 years, and yet you still rose up last year against a force that you knew meant ill harm. They may kill one person every eight hours but they can’t your fighting spirit, they can’t kill your freedom. Know that we support you. Know that you are not alone. We are Anonymous, we are legion. We do not forgive, we do not forget. Expect us."
In an Anonymous chat room on MiBBiT.com today (Feb. 10), a participant using the screen name "arash" expressed the public sentiment in Iran that is behind the need for a government upheaval similar to the ones occurring in Tunisia and Egypt. (Anonymous hackers launched DDoS attacks on government web sites in both countries last month).
"They are the most uncivilized regime in the world, worst [sic] than north korea [sic] and all the Iranians hate them," arash wrote.
This batch of DDoS attacks comes at what could be considered a precarious time for Anonymous. Today (Feb. 10), a federal grand jury in San Jose, Calif., began collecting evidence — including computers and mobile phones — seized in multistate raids on suspected members of Anonymous.