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Massive DDoS Cuts Myanmar Off From Net

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the haven't-they-suffered-enough dept.

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."

11 of 149 comments (clear)

  1. Posting it on slashdot by ewhenn · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... will help them out.

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

  2. Burma by owlnation · · Score: 4, Informative

    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.

    1. Re:Burma by Canazza · · Score: 4, Informative

      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.

      --
      It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for being subtle.
    2. Re:Burma by Orga · · Score: 5, Funny

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 You yourself use outdated names for nations.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

    3. Re:Burma by clarkkent09 · · Score: 4, Informative

      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.

      --
      Negative moral value of force outweighs the positive value of good intentions.
    4. Re:Burma by ElectricTurtle · · Score: 5, Insightful

      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.

      --
      I support the Slashcott and will not be reading or commenting from 2/10/14 to 2/17/14. Beta is steaming pile of dog shit
  3. Re:According to Wikipedia... by rakuen · · Score: 4, Informative

    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.

  4. Re:and nobody noticed by wickedskaman · · Score: 4, Funny

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

    --
    Sand's overrated... it's just tiny little rocks.
  5. Re:According to Wikipedia... by clarkkent09 · · Score: 4, Informative

    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.

    --
    Negative moral value of force outweighs the positive value of good intentions.
  6. Burma? by CompMD · · Score: 4, Funny

    DDoS
    Problems?

    Script
    Kiddies

    Punch 'em
    Out

    Burma
    Shave

  7. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by rakuen · · Score: 4, Funny

    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!