Hackers target F1 websites over Bahrain GP

Apr 20, 2012
Hackers target F1 websites over Bahrain GP (AP)
A woman enters a home in Barbar, Bahrain, Wednesday, April 18, 2012, where the outer walls are sprayed with graffiti art against the hosting of Sunday's Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix. The Arabic at left reads "Unarmed Nation." Preparations are under way for the race, which has been the target of boycott calls by anti-government protesters. The last-minute decision to go ahead with Sunday's race, canceled last year due to anti-government protests that have left nearly 50 dead, was made last week after Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone declared the Gulf kingdom safe. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)

(AP) -- A hackers group has claimed responsibility for a denial-of-service attack on the official Formula One website in protest over the running of this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.

The hacking collective Anonymous also attacked F1-racers.net, where it posted a message saying the "Formula 1 racing authority was well-aware of the Human Rights situation in Bahrain and still chose to contribute to the regime's oppression of civilians and will be punished."

The Bahrain Grand Prix is going ahead despite violent clashes between riot police and demonstrators who believe the race should not be held until the government ends its rights abuses and enacts concrete reforms that benefit the Shiite majority.

Formula1.com was unavailable to many users for some of the day Friday. Denial-of-service attacks work by overwhelming a website with bogus traffic.

Explore further: Google asks US secret court to lift gag order (Update)

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©2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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