The FBI is currently investigating cyberattacks on U.S. news outlets, which targeted their social media accounts.
Both Maryland-based TV station WBOC 16 and The Albuquerque Journal, of New Mexico, had their Twitter accounts hacked by a group calling themselves the Cyber Caliphate. They claim to be part of ISIS, and promised to carry out further cyberattacks on the U.S.
The cyber warfare arm of ISIS?
“You’ll see no mercy infidels. We are already here, we are in your PCs, in each house, in each office. With Allah’s permission we began with New-Mexico and we are in Tennessee now. We hacked FBI databases. We won’t stop… We know all your personal data: where you live, what you eat, your diseases, and even your health insurance cards,” read a post on the Cyber Caliphate Facebook page.
The page has since been removed, but the text can still be read on PasteBin. The attack included the publication of sensitive information such as driving licenses, names and addresses and correction records, as well as the replacement of the news outlet logos with ISIS propaganda images.
The Albuquerque Journal released a statement which read as follows: “ABQjournal’s Twitter feed and Facebook page were compromised early today. The Journal reached out to Facebook and Twitter to help resolve this issue. Law enforcement agencies have been contacted are investigating.”
Since then the news outlet has regained control of both its Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Mysterious cyberattacks
Craig Jahelka, general manager of WBOC 16, had no idea as to why his station was targeted. As well as taking over the WBOC Twitter account, hackers successfully posed as a reporter and published a link which contained sensitive information.
According to a statement from WBOC: “The hacker posted pro-Islamic State propaganda on both sites including comments such as ‘I love you ISIS,’ and ‘There is no law but Sharia!’.”
WBOC 16 now has control of its website, but cannot access its Twitter account. Further information on those behind the attacks is thin on the ground.
