Hackers attack AU websites to protest censorship

The group responsible, called Anonymous, is known for coordinated Internet attacks against Scientology and other groups in the past. It recently turned its attention against the AU government after it said in December that it would block access to sites featuring material such as rape, drug use, bestiality and child sex abuse.

"No government should have the right to refuse its citizens access to information solely because they perceive it to be 'unwanted'," said the email sent by Anonymous to IBTimes.

"No one messes with our access to perfectly legal (or illegal) content for any reason," it said.

The government's recently-commissioned Cyber Security Operations Centr discovered Wednesday's attack was coming on February 5 but still couldn't stop it entirely.

The attack came in the form of what is known as a denial of service - sites are bombarded with millions more communication requests than can possibly be handled.

Dubbed "Titstorm", the operation also sent a torrent of calls, fax spam and emails containing pornographic content directed against government offices.

While the initial attack was stopped about 9am (AEDT), further attacks continued throughout the day.

Anonymous could not immediately be reached for further comment.