Ohio government's websites hacked with pro-ISIS messages, Trump threatened
Several websites of the government of US' Ohio state, including that of Governor John Kasich, were hacked to display a message supporting ISIS. The message said US President Donald Trump would be "held accountable… for every drop of blood flowing in Muslim countries." It also featured the ISIS flag. A group called Team System DZ has claimed responsibility for the hacking.
Hacked websites taken offline, investigation is ongoing
The websites of Ohio's first lady Karen Kasich, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections and Ohio Department of Medicaid were also hacked. The Ohio Department of Administrative Services said, "All affected servers have been taken offline and we are investigating how these hackers were able to deface these websites." "We also are working with law enforcement to better understand what happened," it added.
Who is Team System DZ?
Cryptosphere, a website that tracks hackers, have called Team System DZ a "pro-ISIS hacker crew" believed to be based in Algeria. Cryptosphere has analzed hundreds of similar hacks by Team System DZ in recent years. The websites targeted by Team System DZ include a Florida synagogue, a student union in Canada's University of New Brunswick and several Wordpress-based sites.
"Defacement" hacks create nuisance, disrupt operations
The website of the town of Brookhaven, New York, was also affected. The hack is the latest of several cyber-terrorism incidents that have impacted corporations and governments the world over. Some experts consider such "defacement" hacks a nuisance which in some cases, have disrupted work and government work. Ohio State Treasurer Josh Mandel tweeted telling "freedom-loving Americans" that radical Islam was "infiltrating the heartland."
