Hackers retaliate over Megaupload website shutdown

20 January 2012 Last updated at 10:32 ET

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Hackers retaliate over Megaupload website shutdown

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By Leo Kelion Technology reporter

Megaupload displayed a video with celebrity endorsements before it was shut down

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Hackers have targeted the US government and copyright organisations following the shutdown of the Megaupload file-sharing website.

The Department of Justice (DoJ), FBI and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) among others have been bombarded with internet traffic.

Web links have been been distributed which, when clicked, make the user's computer part of the attack.

A statement attributed to Anonymous claimed responsibility.

Blackout protest

The DoJ announced on Thursday that it had taken action to force Megaupload and related domain names offline, and had charged the firm's co-founders and others with violating piracy laws.

Four of the employees have been arrested in Auckland, New Zealand, at the request of the US authorities.

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Four Megaupload employees appeared in court in New Zealand

via bbc.co.uk