The website of not-yet-launched media platform Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) was the target of a cyber attack yesterday at 12:40pm.
The distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack occurred when the site’s administrators temporarily paused DDoS protection, according to Tom Grundy, the founder of HKFP.
The website, which currently consists of a landing page and no published content, was down for a half a day.
A graph showing the attack. (Image: Tom Grundy/Hong Kong Free Press)
Grundy, who is also the founder of popular blog Hong Wrong, told Coconuts HK that the attack was “quite significant” and appeared to originate from Amsterdam.
“We hadn’t even published anything yet – I suppose we should be flattered – but HKFP plans to be as impartial as possible, welcoming voices from all sides of the political debate,” said Grundy.
“Crude cyber-attacks won’t hinder our launch and, as of yesterday, we’ve a top team of experts battening down the hatches and ensuring we have multiple backups.”
HKFP, a not-for-profit business, raised over HKD400,000 on Fringebacker, breaking the crowdfunding platform’s record for the fastest project ever to reach its target.
The platform is still taking backers until Sunday.
The new media outlet bills itself as “an independent news outlet seeking to unite critical voices at a vital time in the city’s constitutional development”.
They are planning on launching in June.
Header photo: Tom Grundy/Hong Kong Free Press
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