FBI email server hacked; attackers pin blame on cybersecurity consultant
The FBI confirmed Saturday that its servers had been hacked and fraudulent spam emails were sent to more than 100,000 people, The Washington Post reported.
These emails, which were sent to publicly listed web administrators, warned of an imminent cyber attack orchestrated by hacker group TheDarkOverlord and "white hat" cybersecurity consultant Vinny Troia.
The text of the email mistakenly identified the FBI as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rather than the Department of Justice. It also used highly technical jargon, including references to "virtualized clusters" and "fastflux technologies," and contained several spelling and grammatical errors.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The FBI said in a statement Sunday morning that they "are not able to provide any additional information at this time." Troia, however, has suggested the hack was intended as vengeful smear campaign against him. Troia's company, Night Lion Security, published a report last year that identified by name several members of the hacker group with which the spam emails claimed Troia was affiliated.
In 2017, TheDarkOverlord carried out ransomware attacks against Disney and Netflix and forced school closures by threatening the lives of students from several U.S. school districts.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Her Lotus Year: Paul French's new biography sets lurid rumours straight
The Week Recommends Wallis Simpson's year in China is less scandalous, but 'more interesting' than previously thought
By The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - November 21, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - wild cards, wild turkeys, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Say Nothing: 'sensational' dramatisation of Patrick Radden Keefe's bestselling book
The Week Recommends The series is a 'powerful reminder' of the Troubles
By The Week UK Published
-
Racist texts tell Black people in US to prepare for slavery
Speed Read Recipients in at least a dozen states have been told to prepare to 'pick cotton' on slave plantations
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Australia proposes social media ban before age 16
Speed Read Australia proposes social media ban before age 16
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
FTC bans fake online product reviews
Speed Read The agency will enforce fines of up to $51,744 per violation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
States sue TikTok over children's mental health
Speed Read The lawsuit was filed by 13 states and Washington, D.C.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Questions arise over the use of an AI crime-fighting tool
Under the Radar The tool was used in part to send a man to prison for life
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why Captchas are getting harder to solve
Under The Radar If the process continues to get harder, it could cause problems for people trying to book tickets for popular shows
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Amazon ending 'Just Walk Out' grocery checkout
Speed Read In its place, the company will let customers scan while they shop with Amazon Dash Cart
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Justice Department bites Apple with iPhone suit
Speed Read The lawsuit alleges that the tech company monopolized the smartphone industry
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published