A government website was ‘defaced’ with pro-Iran messaging and an image of a bloodied Trump. Hackers claimed responsibility.
 |
| This image taken on Saturday shows the U.S. Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) Web page after a group claiming to be hackers from Iran breached the website, and posted messages vowing revenge for Washington's killing of top military commander Qasem Soleimani. (Photo by Federal Depository /AFP via Getty Images) (-/www.fdlp.gov Federal Depository /AFP via Getty Images) |
On Saturday, the website for a program that provides free public access to federal government information was reportedly hacked by a group claiming allegiance to Iran.
The page for the Federal Depository Library Program was replaced with a graphic titled, “Iranian Hackers!” that included photos of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the country’s flag.
The actors behind the apparent attack, which resulted in the website being taken offline for hours, identified themselves as “Iran Cyber Security Group Hackers” and warned that their work was “only a small part of Iran’s cyber ability.”
“We’re always ready,” the text on the graphic said.
‘A cyberattack should be expected’: U.S. strike on Iranian leader sparks fears of major digital disruption
Officials have yet to confirm whether the hackers are directly affiliated with Iran, CBS News reported. A spokesperson for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, told the Hill on Sunday that the situation was being monitored.
“We are aware the website of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was defaced with pro-Iranian, anti-US messaging,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “At this time, there is no confirmation that this was the action of Iranian state-sponsored actors.”
Saturday’s incident came as tensions between the U.S. and Iran continued to escalate dramatically in the aftermath of an American drone strike that killed one of Iran’s top military figures, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, in Baghdad last week. In response, Iran has vowed revenge, prompting experts to warn that a variety of cyberattacks against the U.S. “should be expected.”
Revenge appeared to be the message behind the alleged cyberattack on the federal library program’s website over the weekend. In the graphic that showed up in place of the original homepage, the fist punching Trump was connected to an arm covered by a green sleeve bearing an insignia similar to the one associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Soleimani helped lead.
The image also featured a version of the strong statement shared by Khamenei, in which the leader promised that “severe revenge awaits those criminals who have tainted their filthy hands with [Soleimani’s] blood and the blood of the other martyrs.” Toward the bottom of the page, the hackers wrote “#Hard revenge,” punctuating the statement with an emoticon of a winking face.
A spokesperson for the Government Publishing Office, which operates the library program, told CNN that none of the agency’s other websites were impacted.
“An intrusion was detected on GPO’s FDLP website, which has been taken down,” said Gary Somerset, the office’s chief public relations officer. “We are coordinating with the appropriate authorities to investigate further.”
The website was taken down shortly after its homepage was altered, according to CBS News. It was up and running again by late Sunday night.
While at least one senior U.S. cybersecurity official dismissed the apparent hacking as “a nothing event,” others have stressed the importance of remaining vigilant against cyberattacks, urging all organizations to increase monitoring, back up their systems, implement multi-factor authentication and have an incident response plan prepared.
A National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin issued Saturday noted Iran’s “robust cyber program” in its summary of potential threats faced by Americans. Hackers with ties to Iran have been behind several cyberattacks in recent years that targeted U.S. entities ranging from banks to a New York state dam.
“Iran is capable, at minimum, of carrying out attacks with temporary disruptive effects against critical infrastructure in the United States,” the bulletin said. In a tweet, acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf added that the agency is “actively monitoring & preparing for any specific, credible threat, should one arise.”
The new @DHSgov NTAS Bulletin on the threat landscape was issued to inform & reassure the American public, state/local governments & private partners that DHS is actively monitoring & preparing for any specific, credible threat, should one arise.
1,491 people are talking about this
Meanwhile, Trump has responded to the possibility of Iranian retaliation using another tactic: more threats. On Sunday, the president tweeted that “should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner.”
These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!
163K people are talking about this
(Washingtonpost)
0 comments:
Kindly comment here!