Angry computer enthusiasts reeling from this month's terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have lashed out at Web sites connected to Afghanistan by launching Internet attacks that deface home pages with obscenities and anti-Arab slogans.
But such "hacktivist" attacks appear to have little effect on the ruling Taliban government--which banned Internet access in Afghanistan--and instead create headaches for private Web operators, some of whom are U.S. citizens.
One site, the Afghan News Network at http://www.myafghan.com, was knocked offline for 15 hours after a hacker attack, the site's operator said in an e-mail. "We have received lots of hate e-mail from people," according to the e-mail.
The operator of the site, which provides news and updates about Afghanistan, declined to give a name. Those running the site said they are college students and American citizens.
The FBI has condemned such vigilante action by hackers. Many attacks were directed specifically at sites connected to Afghanistan because investigators suspect the country is harboring Osama bin Laden, who is accused of masterminding the attacks.
The agency's National Infrastructure Protection Center warned Internet users to be alert to "political hacktivism by self-described 'patriot' hackers targeted at those perceived to be responsible for the terrorist attacks." Attempts to interfere with Internet traffic are illegal and punishable by up to five years in prison.
But such warnings have had little effect.
A hacker apparently operating out of the former Soviet Union has repeatedly defaced an official Taliban Web site. In an e-mail interview, the hacker said his attack was politically motivated.
"They bring only war in the world, and they must die," the hacker going by the screen name RyDen wrote.
The defaced Web page, which contains several vulgarities, makes reference to terrorists in Chechnya, where Russian troops continue battling Islamic rebels believed to be backed by the Taliban.
And a hacker or group of hackers known as Fluffi Bunni temporarily rerouted Internet traffic to point to his Web site, where a page declares, "If you want to see the Internet again, give us Mr. Bin Laden."
Many of the hackers boast that they are committed to attacking the infrastructure of the Middle East, going after banks, electric power and communications equipment. So far, though, the attacks barely qualify as graffiti.
