Massive DDoS Cuts Myanmar Off From Net

Trailrunner7 writes "The nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, found its access to the Internet severed by a massive denial of service attack, according to a report by Arbor Networks. The source or motivation of the attack isn't known, but it is believed that the distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks have targeted the country's Ministry of Post and Telecommunication (or PTT), the main conduit for Internet traffic in and out of the authoritarian nation."

Comments

All the computers were unable to connect

[Anonymous Coward]

both of them.

Re:All the computers were unable to connect

[devbox]

Ah, the usual ignorance. Like every other Asian nation, Myanmar too has a lot net cafes people go to. I'm currently traveling between Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos and it's the same everywhere. And since one hour of computer use is usually charged less than half a dollar, it works great and if you want to you also have the usual multiplayer games you can play (along with cheap beer). It might actually be even better computer culture, since it's social activity and not just sitting alone at home.

Re:All the computers were unable to connect

[rakuen]

Being a joke doesn't preclude people from reacting negatively to it. I mean, haven't you told a racist joke before? You just read one, after all.

That said, I'd like to personally apologize to the people of Myanmar. I know you're trying really hard for that third computer. You're almost there, just a bit more!

Posting it on slashdot

[ewhenn]

... will help them out.

clever attempt at social engneering for more /dot effect! :P

Burma

[owlnation]

Since the U.S. (and many other countries) uses the name "Burma", due to not recognizing the Military Junta that currently rules this country, should /. not follow suit?

Seems to me that if your country is ruled by a military junta, having your internet cut off is only to be expected. Being next door to China probably doesn't help.

Re:Burma

[Canazza]

It's not based on country, merely the leanings of the people you work for that decide which name you give it. Yes, the UK and US generally go for Burma, but even in the UK some call it Myanmar.

Re:Burma

[Orga]

The U.S.? You yourself use outdated names for nations. Please refer to the United Federation of Conglomerated Corporations properly.

Re:Burma

[clarkkent09]

regime which can fairly be called more brutal than anything that happened under colonialism there.
 
That's an understatement. From Wikipedia:
 
Under British administration, Burma was the second-wealthiest country in South-East Asia. It had been the world's largest exporter of rice. During British administration, Burma supplied oil through the Burmah Oil Company. Burma also had a wealth of natural and labor resources. It produced 75% of the world's teak and had a highly literate population. The country was believed to be on the fast track to development.
...
After a parliamentary government was formed in 1948, Prime Minister U Nu disastrously attempted to make Burma a welfare state and adopted central planning. Rice exports fell by two thirds and mineral exports by over 96%. Plans were partly financed by printing money, which led to inflation. The 1962 coup d'état was followed by an economic scheme called the Burmese Way to Socialism, a plan to nationalize all industries, with the exception of agriculture. The catastrophic program turned Burma into one of the world's most impoverished countries. Burma's admittance to Least Developed Country status by the UN in 1987 highlighted its economic bankruptcy.
...
The economy is still rated as the least free in Asia (tied with North Korea). All fundamental market institutions are suppressed. Private enterprises are often co-owned or indirectly owned by state. The corruption watchdog organisation Transparency International in its 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index released on 26 September 2007 ranked Burma the most corrupt country in the world, tied with Somalia.

Re:Burma

[ElectricTurtle]

As far as I'm concerned, Burma is simply the English name. Just like English speakers say 'France' or formally 'French Republic' instead of 'Republique Francaise', and the Germans call it 'Frankreich'. If people want to read a bunch of chauvinism into it that's their problem, but be sure to wag your finger at every other language that has different names for countries. And I expect you to start calling Norway 'Norge', Greece 'Hellas', Sweden 'Sverige', etc. etc. you politically correct twit.

Re:Burma

[BrianRoach]

Not to mention that it's amazingly coincidental that the internet goes away days before the first elections in 20 years.

No election observers, no foreign journalists, no connection with internet. All signs point to the junta cutting off its people from the rest of the world.

According to Wikipedia...

[Frosty Piss]

Myanmar...

According to Wikipedia, it's still called "Burma", not Myanmar.

Re:According to Wikipedia...

[rakuen]

Yes, it says Burma for the article title. Then directly after it, on the first line, it says it is officially the "Republic of the Union of Myanmar." Not to mention Myanmar redirects to the article.

Re:According to Wikipedia...

[clarkkent09]

Why'd they change it? Did people just like it better that way?
 
I don't think people have much of a say when they live under a military dictatorship.

Re:and nobody noticed

[wickedskaman]

It's the stuff those big shiny balloons are made of.

Burma?

[CompMD]

DDoS
Problems?

Script
Kiddies

Punch 'em
Out

Burma
Shave