Islamic State website hacked, replaced with Viagra advert
According to reports, website was taken down by Ghost Security, a group of hackers loosely affiliated with Anonymous
PHOTO: AFP
An Islamic State propaganda website was allegedly hacked and replaced with an online pharmacy advert selling prozac and viagra tablets.
Visitors on the website were greeted with the message, "Too much ISIS. Enhance your calm. Too many people are into this ISIS-stuff. Please gaze upon this lovely ad so we can upgrade our infrastructure to give you ISIS content you all so desperately crave."
Anonymous declares war on Islamic State
The attack on the website came less than a week after it appeared on the Tor browser of the dark web last week, aiming to get extremists to join the site.
According to reports, counter-terrorism network, Ghost Security Group, which is loosely affiliated with Anonymous, reportedly hacked the website.
It is believed that it is the first time a website on the dark web, a subsection of the deep web has been hacked. Deep web is a part of the internet which cannot be accessed through traditional search methods, nor does it appear on social media.
According to reports, dark web, which was once used to share information and trade goods, given its anonymous and encrypted nature has attracted large amounts of illegal activity.
Ghost Security Group's executive director, who declined to be named, claimed, "There were members posing as would-be militants, aiming to infiltrate sites on the dark web."
Islamic State video threatens France day after Paris bloodshed
"We're playing more an intelligence role. The group is a volunteer organisation that has been sending data to the FBI and other agencies via a Congressional terrorism adviser, Michael S Smith II,” he added.
Following the Paris attacks, Anonymous had promised to track down militants online and declared a war against Islamic State.
In the video, an announcer wearing an Anonymous Guy Fawkes mask said in French, “Anonymous from all over the world will hunt you down. You should know that we will find you and we will not let you go.”
Cyberwar: Anonymous takes down Islamic State websites, social media accounts
“We will launch the biggest operation ever against you [IS],” the group added. Warning the extremist group, Anonymous said, “Expect massive cyber-attacks. War is declared. Get prepared.”
This article originally appeared on IB Times.
Visitors on the website were greeted with the message, "Too much ISIS. Enhance your calm. Too many people are into this ISIS-stuff. Please gaze upon this lovely ad so we can upgrade our infrastructure to give you ISIS content you all so desperately crave."
Anonymous declares war on Islamic State
The attack on the website came less than a week after it appeared on the Tor browser of the dark web last week, aiming to get extremists to join the site.
According to reports, counter-terrorism network, Ghost Security Group, which is loosely affiliated with Anonymous, reportedly hacked the website.
It is believed that it is the first time a website on the dark web, a subsection of the deep web has been hacked. Deep web is a part of the internet which cannot be accessed through traditional search methods, nor does it appear on social media.
According to reports, dark web, which was once used to share information and trade goods, given its anonymous and encrypted nature has attracted large amounts of illegal activity.
Ghost Security Group's executive director, who declined to be named, claimed, "There were members posing as would-be militants, aiming to infiltrate sites on the dark web."
Islamic State video threatens France day after Paris bloodshed
"We're playing more an intelligence role. The group is a volunteer organisation that has been sending data to the FBI and other agencies via a Congressional terrorism adviser, Michael S Smith II,” he added.
Following the Paris attacks, Anonymous had promised to track down militants online and declared a war against Islamic State.
In the video, an announcer wearing an Anonymous Guy Fawkes mask said in French, “Anonymous from all over the world will hunt you down. You should know that we will find you and we will not let you go.”
Cyberwar: Anonymous takes down Islamic State websites, social media accounts
“We will launch the biggest operation ever against you [IS],” the group added. Warning the extremist group, Anonymous said, “Expect massive cyber-attacks. War is declared. Get prepared.”
This article originally appeared on IB Times.