Anonymous Hacks Governmental Websites In China

International hacktivist group Anonymous on Thursday claimed responsibility for a successful hack attempt that took down several governmental websites in China. The group claims that its efforts were to protest Internet censorship laws throughout the country.

The official Anonymous China Twitter account was quick to claim victory over China’s government, claiming that the hacks took several days to complete and included several Chinese cities, including the provincial capital of Chengdu in southwest China.

While some sites were quickly restored others remained offline through Thursday morning.

In a funny turn of censorship the Chinese government attempted to tell its citizens that the sites were never hacked although China’s National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team would not comment on the situation.

Anonymous is best known for attacking government agencies, businesses and political causes they believe are infringing on their rights to information.

While the Chine’s government claims no hacks occurred the Chinese site cdcbd.gov.cn had a hacked message placed on its frontpage in which Anonymous expressed anger over the countries governmental restrictions on the internet. The message read:

“Dear Chinese government, you are not infallible, today websites are hacked, tomorrow it will be your vile regime that will fall,” and “What you are doing today to your Great People, tomorrow will be inflicted to you. With no mercy.”

The message also came with instructions on how to bypass China’s restrictions on its Internet.

Social networks, political websites opposing the Chinese government, adult oriented websites and various other web properties are currently blocked in China.