News on the Internet Archive: Recovering After Cyberattacks
News on Recent Cyberattacks
The Internet Archive, a nonprofit digital library, has experienced several attacks, prompting alarm among its user base. After weeks of downtime, founder Brewster Kahle announced services resumed in a read-only format, meaning new pages cannot be saved for now. He cautioned users to be gentle during this process, as ongoing maintenance may be necessary. The Archive, known for its Wayback Machine, has amassed over 150 billion webpage snapshots since its inception in 1996.
Details of the Attacks
Recent incidents included the theft of usernames and email addresses of tens of millions, brief site defacement, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. The theft of user information was discovered on September 30, with 31 million accounts affected, although the Archive typically retains minimal user data. Lay investigations revealed that a hacker group, allegedly operating from Russia, claimed responsibility while utilizing various platforms to assert their intentions.
The Response from Cybersecurity Experts
Experts like Jake Moore from ESET highlight the unusual nature of the attacks against a nonprofit entity usually viewed as beneficent. Determining the true motivations behind such cyber incidents remains a challenge, leading to more questions than answers in the cybersecurity landscape.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.