Hackers Join the Fight Against ISIS
Posted by: Timothy Weaver on 04/03/2017 02:29 PM
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Hackers are taking aim at ISIS websites in order to take them down.
In one such attack, hackers penetrated the terrorist group’s Amaq propaganda website and planted malware disguised as an update. The malware is able to activate cameras, log keystrokes, steal files, read phone messages, take screenshots, detect GPS locations and collect contacts from unsuspecting jihadis.
The Independent tried to access the site and was immediately warned by Google that the site contained malware that “might attempt to install dangerous programs on your computer that steal or delete your information” including photos, passwords and credit cards.
Charlie Winter, a senior research fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence (ICSR), was delighted by the hacking and said the extremists were becoming “agitated” by intensifying online attacks.
“It’s leaving a lot of Isis paranoid and it’s a joy to behold,” he told The Independent.
“Something’s afoot. Someone is putting a lot of effort in sowing discord and paranoia – it’s very effective.”
Gregg Housh, a former Anonymous activist, said that the collective are using a variety of methods to take down ISIS websites including DDoS attacks.
“I think the hacktivists are winning the battle for one very simple reason,” he told The Independent.
“When you have to move, your user base has to find the new sites and accounts.
“It’s hard to build a large following and a large amount of influence if you have to keep jumping around to new domains, new hosts and new Twitter accounts.”
Hackers are also getting help from government agencies. The British Government’s Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit, which searches for extremist material and works with internet companies to take it down, has helped remove 250,000 pieces of extremist content since 2010, working at a current rate of 2,000 per week.
Source: The Independent
In one such attack, hackers penetrated the terrorist group’s Amaq propaganda website and planted malware disguised as an update. The malware is able to activate cameras, log keystrokes, steal files, read phone messages, take screenshots, detect GPS locations and collect contacts from unsuspecting jihadis.The Independent tried to access the site and was immediately warned by Google that the site contained malware that “might attempt to install dangerous programs on your computer that steal or delete your information” including photos, passwords and credit cards.
Charlie Winter, a senior research fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence (ICSR), was delighted by the hacking and said the extremists were becoming “agitated” by intensifying online attacks.
“It’s leaving a lot of Isis paranoid and it’s a joy to behold,” he told The Independent.
“Something’s afoot. Someone is putting a lot of effort in sowing discord and paranoia – it’s very effective.”
Gregg Housh, a former Anonymous activist, said that the collective are using a variety of methods to take down ISIS websites including DDoS attacks.
“I think the hacktivists are winning the battle for one very simple reason,” he told The Independent.
“When you have to move, your user base has to find the new sites and accounts.
“It’s hard to build a large following and a large amount of influence if you have to keep jumping around to new domains, new hosts and new Twitter accounts.”
Hackers are also getting help from government agencies. The British Government’s Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit, which searches for extremist material and works with internet companies to take it down, has helped remove 250,000 pieces of extremist content since 2010, working at a current rate of 2,000 per week.
Source: The Independent
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