Hacktivists attribute Internet Archive outage to their actions
The Internet Archive and Wayback Machine were disabled on Tuesday due to a prolonged cyberattack, leading to a compromise of user data. If you have logged into the site to access its vast archives, it is advisable to change your passwords as a precautionary measure.
### Cyberattack and Data Breach
Founder Brewster Kahle expressed concern over the unusual timing of the attack on October 8, noting the site’s unavailability and the deletion of content. Notifications have been sent to affected users, prompting them to verify potential data breaches through websites like HIBP.
HIBP, a platform for checking compromised email addresses, confirmed the breach and advised users to take necessary security measures. The attack was claimed by a pro-Palestinian hacker group, SN_BLACKMETA, citing political motives for targeting the Internet Archive.
### Response and Previous Attacks
HIBP founder Troy Hunt revealed that the attackers shared the archive’s authentication database containing sensitive user information. The group responsible for the attack also targeted other organizations, emphasizing political reasons for their actions.
