Justice Dept. Home Page Vandalized

Internet hackers infiltrated the Justice Department’s home page Saturday, altering the official Web site to include swastikas, obscene pictures and lots of criticism of the Communications Decency Act.

The official Web site, which was turned off by government technicians when it was discovered Saturday morning, was changed to read “United States Department of Injustice,” next to a red, black and white flag bearing a swastika. The text of the page was written over a background of gray swastikas, and at the top declared in red letters: “This page is in violation of the Communications Decency Act.”

The page included color pictures of George Washington, Adolf Hitler, who is called the attorney general, and a topless Jennifer Aniston, one of the stars of NBC’s “Friends.” Other sexually explicit images were shown.

“Somebody did get into the Web page at the Justice Department,” said department spokesman Joe Krovisky, but the site was turned off and remained off Saturday afternoon.

The agency Web site is used to post public information, including government news releases and speeches, Krovisky said.

Hackers used the most of the Web site to criticize the Communication Decency Act, signed in February, which makes transmitting sexually explicit material in ways children might see it a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

A federal appeals court declared the law unconstitutional.