Hackers target racist & homophobic websites

Racist and homophobic websites are now a vigilante hacker's target. Amped Attacks is taking these websites down with the use of distributed denial of service attacks, otherwise known as DDoS.

Usually, such attacks are launched by hackers who are against certain websites that offer a list of services that many Internet visitors depend on, such as banking and gaming networks. Interestingly, Amped Attacks has decided to set its sights on websites that are just generally oppressive, as Tech Times points out.

The attack progresses by overloading the server with requests. Eventually, the server will reach a point where its network resource becomes unavailable, which will shut down the website.

Amped Attacks takes to Twitter to claim responsibility for the attacks. The hash tag #tangodown will be used to indicate that the take down was successful. Although it is worth noting that such hash tag is usually used by the famous hacker group, Hacktivist, it is not an admission that the vigilante hacker is part of the said team. Anonymous has also not confirmed that Amped Attacks is one of their hackers who have gone rogue.

It was previously revealed that Amped Attacks' next target was going to be a known KKK website, Ku Klos Knights.

"Kuklosknights.com, you are my target tomorrow," Amped Attacks wrote. "You have been warned."

Amped Attacks made the revelation on Twitter. Fans of this vigilante hacker can easily scroll down his Twitter page to see which racist and homophobic websites he had already taken down - since he has a knack of posting on Twitter who his recent victim was.

DDoS attacks might shut down websites and cause chaos to the website owner, but the shut down is actually not permanent. After a certain period of time, all of the websites attacked by Amped Attacks will eventually go back online.

That said, many Internet users have stated that Amped Attacks' actions have only drawn more attention to the websites, instead of discouraging visitors.

Contact writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.