14 DAY TRIAL // A lot of online protests have taken place over the past week, which is why we’re going to focus this security brief on the attacks and threats launched by hacktivist groups. In addition, we’ll also take a look at the Twitter hacks that took place this week, and some other interesting topics.
The week started with the message sent by Anonymous hackers to the English Defence League. The hacktivists launched OpEDL in response to the protests of the far-right group following the London cleaver attack.
Some sites were hacked, including the EDL’s main website. Data has been leaked by the hacktivists, but much of the information appears to be taken from older TeaMp0isoN leaks.
In response, the EDL has published a statement saying they don’t care about what Anonymous does.
Later, hackers of TeamBerserk targeted the systems of HITRUST. The company acknowledged the breach, but its representatives said the affected server was a “non-critical, standalone public web server.”
Anonymous hackers have also set their sights on PETA after the organization threatened to sue anonymous individuals that posted comments to an article in which PETA was accused of killing puppies and kittens.
OpMyanmar has been resurrected after a series of violent attacks against the country’s Muslim community. Several government and commercial sites have been attacked by hacktivists in response to the violence.
Finally, hackers breached a Turkish state hospital in support of OccupyGezi, a campaign initiated by Turkish citizens in protest against the destruction of Istanbul’s Gezi Park.
As far as Twitter hacks are concerned, cybercriminals have hijacked the accounts of Cher and Alec Baldwin and abused them to promote shady miracle diet websites.
The White House Press Corps Twitter account also appears to have been hacked.
On Friday, the Peoples Liberation Front Twitter account was hijacked by the Rustle League. Since the PLF account was connected to YourAnonNews, all the tweets containing the #YAN hashtag were automatically posted on the Anonymous news providing account, leading many to believe that YourAnonNews was compromised as well.
China has once again taken the spotlight. First, Chinese hackers were accused in an ABC program of stealing classified information from Australian organizations, including the plans for the new Canberra headquarters of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
China denied the allegations and so did many Australian officials. Even the country’s prime minister named the reports as being inaccurate.
China was also accused by some US officials of stealing the designs for over two dozen weapon systems. China denied the accusations and said it could build weapons on its own. Pentagon Press Secretary George Little says he’s still confident in the country’s weapon systems.
Here are some other interesting stories, in case you’ve missed them:
US officials say they have “technical evidence” that Iran has attacked energy firms
Liberty Reserve founder arrested and charged with money laundering
Jeremy Hammond pleads guilty to hacking Stratfor
Malawi domain registrar hacked, again
Anonymous hacker sentenced to prison for blackmailing university