14 DAY TRIAL // If last week Hackers around the world visited Bangladesh, this time we move on to Africa, Rwanda to be more precise, where a two-man team is trying to make a difference.
Cyuzuzo and his brother represent the only hacker crew in Rwanda and while they’re confident that their actions can’t make much of a difference, they’re determined to spread their message and continue fighting for a united Africa in which there aren’t any dictators. Softpedia: Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Cyuzuzo: I'm Cyuzuzo and I'm from Rwanda. I'm 16 years old.
Softpedia: What is the significance of your name "cyuzuzo"?
Cyuzuzo: Cyuzuzo is a name of war, but it also stems from the verb “kuzuza” which means “to fill.”
Softpedia: How did you learn about hacking?
Cyuzuzo: I found an SQL injection tutorial on YouTube and that’s how I started. This method is so easy to use.
Softpedia: Tell us about your team, Rwandan Hackers.
Cyuzuzo: Rwandan Hackers was founded in November 2011. Initially I started like a black hat, but I saw I was running a risk. Then I turned into a grey hat because I like helping admins with problems.
The team has two members: Kloxe and Cyuzuzo. Kloxe is my brother.
Softpedia: How did you become a hacker? What inspired you?
Cyuzuzo: Well, my best friend was a victim of hackers who published [expletive] photos on his Facebook profile and I wanted to help him by removing the photos. I used methods of hacking.
Then I gradually became more interested in hacking. I was mostly inspired by Anonymous and the big hacker Mitnick.
Softpedia: Are there many hacking crews in Rwanda?
Cyuzuzo: In Rwanda there are only Rwandan Hackers, but with the time there will be other crews.
Softpedia: You have been involved in the operation against Joseph Kony. What made you join the movement?
Cyuzuzo: I have joined the movement because I'm young and Joseph's soldiers are young like me. These young boys should be at school, not at war.
The government of Uganda is doing nothing to stop Joseph Kony.
In response to the government, I hacked 4 Ugandan government sites: - Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS – Republic of Uganda); - Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda; - The Petroleum Exploration and Production Department of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development; - National Medical Stores – Uganda.
Softpedia: How are authorities treating hackers in Rwanda? Are there any cyber laws?
Cyuzuzo: In Rwanda there aren't cyber laws because there aren't people who are specialized in cybersecurity.
Softpedia: So, are you afraid of getting caught by the police?
Cyuzuzo: Of course! I risk to go in jail for many years. Also, in Rwanda hackers are considered thieves, criminals.
But I know that I am not a thief and I have never killed people.
Softpedia: Do you feel that your actions make a difference?
Cyuzuzo: My actions don't make any difference, but I will continue the fight against the dictator, corruption and other problems in Africa.
Softpedia: Do you see yourself working as a security researcher one day?
Cyuzuzo: Not really, I would rather be carrying in a supermarket. I would like to be a professional basketball player. I just want to give pleasure to my father who was the coach of a team of basketball. Unfortunately he died in 2010.
Softpedia: Do you believe that hacking can help you leave Rwanda? Or do you plan on remaining in Rwanda forever?
Cyuzuzo: You know what? I will stay in Rwanda because I was born here and I know that one day this country will be the same as other countries, without corruption and a dictator.