Syria: SEA Qatar Cyber Attack TR Nov13

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

• The SEA is a disconnected group of Syrian IT professionals who are intent on combating what they view as unjust media coverage of the Syrian government and external support for the rebels.
• Organized in 2011, the SEA has attacked news agencies, government sites, universities, and other organizations deemed hostile to the Syrian government.
• In October 2013, the SEA hacked into a domain registry containing information about a number of different Qatari websites.
• The SEA pointed to Qatari support for the rebels in Syria as the reason for the attack.
• The SEA has, to date, focused on nuisance attacks, including placing pro-Assad propaganda on the Qatari websites or directing visitors to other sites.