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Hackers group says it will target Iran on Sunday

By Jack Maddox, CNN
The group of Internet hackers hopes to reignite last year's protests in Iran.
The group of Internet hackers hopes to reignite last year's protests in Iran.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Attack would be on Sunday, which is International Workers' Day
  • Group called Anonymous says it hopes to rekindle protests against Iranian regime
  • Attacks could range from denial of service (DOS) to accessing codes and private data
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(CNN) -- The Internet hackers group Anonymous plans to hack Iran on Sunday, according to a press release published on their website. The group wants to use International Workers' Day, which commemorates the first national general strike in the United States, as an opportunity to reignite last year's protests in Iran.

Exactly how they intend to "attack" Iran remains to be seen. The sophistication of their previous attacks ranges from the denial-of-service overloading of web servers (this simply knocks a website out) to the exploitation of code and accessing of private data (more like the hacking seen in the movies).

The announcement follows news from the Bahrain News Agency that Iranian hackers had tried to access the Housing Ministry's database regarding those who benefit from the housing services.

The group Anonymous is known for its volunteer association with the perceived underdogs, the side that comes under pressure from the authorities, its statement said, and it views the people of Iran as the next step in the wave of revolutions passing through the Middle East and North Africa.

The attacks are scheduled to start at 5 a.m. GMT (1 a.m. ET) on Sunday.