The China Syndrome

On April 1, 2001 a Chinese fighter jet collided with a U.S. Navy EP-3 surveillance plane off China's coast, resulting in the death of a Chinese pilot and the detention of the Navy plane and its crew. As Chinese and American diplomats sparred in the political arena, an army of Chinese hackers launched attacks against American web sites in protest. Though estimates vary, the ensuing 'Cyberwar' between U.S. and Chinese hackers ultimately affected some 1100 American web sites and 1600 Chinese sites.1