The Internet Archive Faces DDoS Attack Amid Security Breach Claims

The Internet Archive Faces Cyber Attack: What You Need to Know

Today, visitors to The Internet Archive (www.archive.org) encountered a surprising pop-up message that suggested the site had been hacked. After dismissing the alert, users found the site operational, albeit with some performance issues. The message read:

“Have you ever felt like the Internet Archive runs on sticks and is constantly on the verge of suffering a catastrophic security breach? It just happened. See 31 million of you on HIBP!”

This alarming notification refers to Have I Been Pwned?, a popular website used for checking if personal information has been compromised in data breaches.

Current Situation and Response

While the exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain unclear, it mirrors previous attacks on related platforms, such as TweetDeck, which have targeted vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting (XSS). Jason Scott, an archivist and software curator for The Internet Archive, took to social media to inform users that the site is currently experiencing a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack. According to his post on Mastodon:

"According to their Twitter, they’re doing it just to do it. Just because they can. No statement, no idea, no demands."

The Suspected Perpetrators

An account known as SN_Blackmeta on the platform X has claimed responsibility for the attack, hinting that further action may occur soon. This account has previously suggested an intention to disrupt the Internet Archive, having posted similar messages in May about past DDoS attacks.

What is a DDoS Attack?

• Definition: A DDoS attack attempts to make an online service unavailable by overwhelming it with traffic from multiple sources.
• Impact: Such attacks can slow down or completely halt operations, creating significant inconvenience for users and stakeholders.
• Protection: Organizations typically use various strategies and tools to mitigate the effects of DDoS attacks, although the success and timing can vary.

Looking Ahead

The Internet Archive is a vital resource for preserving historical data and providing access to information globally. As the organization works to restore services and improve security measures, users are encouraged to remain vigilant about their own data privacy.
We’ll continue to monitor the situation and will update accordingly as more information becomes available.

Stay Informed

For users concerned about digital security, consider checking your own email and personal accounts with Have I Been Pwned?. Always practice good online security hygiene, including using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication where possible.