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The Internet Archive, a renowned digital library known for its Wayback Machine, has fallen victim to a major cyberattack, resulting in the compromise of 31 million user accounts. The attack, claimed by a pro-Palestinian hacktivist group known as 'SN_BlackMeta', exposed email addresses, screen names, and encrypted passwords, raising serious concerns about the security of the platform and the privacy of its users.
The hacktivist group exploited a vulnerability in a JavaScript library on the Internet Archive's website to gain access to the sensitive data. The attack, which lasted for five hours, also included a series of Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks aimed at disrupting the platform's online services. While the DDoS attacks have been mitigated for the moment, the Internet Archive's website and Wayback Machine have been intermittently inaccessible, highlighting the severity of the breach.
Following the attack, Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle acknowledged the breach and the ongoing efforts to restore services and enhance security. The organization has disabled the compromised JavaScript library, scrubbed its systems, and implemented security upgrades to prevent future attacks. However, the damage has been done, and the stolen data could potentially be used for malicious purposes.
The breach has sparked debate about the security of online platforms and the increasing threat of hacktivism. Cybersecurity experts have urged users of the Internet Archive to change their passwords and be vigilant about potential phishing attempts. The attack also highlights the vulnerability of even well-established institutions to sophisticated cyberattacks, emphasizing the need for robust security measures and continuous monitoring.
Source: Internet Archive Hit By "Catastrophic" Attack, 31 Million Passwords Stolen