US government agency hacked by 'Iran Cyber Security Group' as chilling image put online

The hackers replaced the website of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) with images of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Iranian flag. They titled the page “Iranian Hackers” and included a graphic of Donald Trump being punched in the face by a fist from Iran as missiles fly past. Below the President’s bleeding face were the words “hacked by Iran Cyber Security Group Hackers” and “this is only a small part of Iran’s cyber ability”.

It was also captioned: “Martyrdom was Suleimani’s reward for years of implacable efforts.

“With his departure and with God’s power, his work and path will not cease and severe revenge awaits those criminals who have tainted their filthy hands with his blood and blood of the other martyrs.”

A US government spokesman for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency claimed the website was taken offline soon after the image was posted.

They added there was no evidence the hackers were indeed from Iran.

The spokesman said: “We are aware the website of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was defaced with pro-Iranian, anti-US messaging.

“At this time, there is no confirmation that this was the action of Iranian state-sponsored actors.

“The website was taken offline and is no longer accessible.”

They claimed the situation was being monitored by the agency with federal partners.

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Security experts previously warned cyber attacks could be part of Iran’s retaliation for the US airstrike.

Iran’s state-backed hackers are considered to be among the world’s most aggressive.

They could invest malware triggering major disruptions to the US public and private sector.

Potential targets include manufacturing facilities, oil and gas plants and transit systems.

A top US cybersecurity official is warning businesses and government agencies to be extra vigilant.

John Hultquist, director of intelligence analysis at cybersecurity firm FireEye, told the MailOnline: “There are opportunities for them to cause real disruption and destruction.”

Experts claim Iran has been probing critical US industrial systems in recent years, trying to gain access.

However, destructive attacks were limited to targets in the Middle East.

It is not known if Iranian cyber agents have planted destructive payloads in US infrastructure which could now be triggered.

Mr Hulquist claimed it was “certainly possible” but had not been seen.

source: express.co.uk