An ethnic Russian Estonian was convicted for taking part in a "cyber war" against Estonia. Dmitri Galushkevich was arrested for an attack which blocked the website of the Reform Party of Prime Minister Andrus Ansip. Several other investigations into the attacks are under way. The attacks took place against a backdrop of riots in May, 2007 by ethnic Russian Estonians prompted by the removal of a Soviet war memorial from the centre of Tallinn. The cyber attacks, which began as attacks on the Prime Minister’s website, also included attacks on websites of newspapers and television stations, then schools and finally banks, raising fears that what was initially a nuisance could have serious economic consequences. Estonian government officials first accused Russia of orchestrating the attacks. They also raised the issue at a meeting of NATO and asked to help defend their networks in what was described as a "cyber war".
Mr. Galushkevich admitted his guilt and was subsequently fined 17,000 Kroons (approx. CAD$1,650).
For additional information, visit:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7208511.stm