ISIS Cyber Capabilities Qualified As Weak & Poorly Organized

[Morvotron]

Content source

http://www.securityweek.com/isis-cyber-capabilities-weak-poorly-organized-report

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While threats emanating from ISIS-inspired cyberattacks are of high concern, intelligence analysts have concluded that, as of now, the cyber capabilities of the Islamic State and its supporters are still relatively weak and appear to be underfunded and poorly organized.

According to a new report from intelligence firm Flashpoint, a growing pro-ISIS community of hackers is expected to expand following the formal merger of several ISIS hacking groups into a new group called the “United Cyber Caliphate”.

Announced on April 4, 2016, the United Cyber Caliphate is composed of previously disparate pro-ISIS hacking collectives.

“For the vast majority of its existence, the pro-ISIS hacking landscape was composed of at least five distinct groups that launched campaigns in support of the terror group. Evidence indicated that these collectives overlapped or coordinated with one another in certain campaigns, pooling their resources and manpower,” Flashpoint explained.

The Islamic State (also known as IS, ISIS, ISIL, and Daesh) with “even limited success could inflate their notoriety and enable them to continue to grow their capabilities and attract talent,” the report says.

In response to the terror group’s growing cyber activity, it should not be a surprise that the U.S. military has acknowledged that it is actively conducting cyberattacks against the Islamic State group.

"We have now begun to use our exquisite cyber capabilities in this fight against Daesh," Baghdad-based Major General Peter Gersten told reporters this week.

So far, online attacks claimed by pro-ISIS hackers attacks remain relatively novice-level, Flashpoint says, with most attacks being opportunistic, such as exploiting known vulnerabilities to compromise websites and launching DDoS attacks.

Pro-ISIS hackers have also managed to compromise social media accounts of media and government organizations—again not considered a high-level hack requiring advanced skills. Financial institutions have also been a target of the groups, mainly through DDoS attacks, but Flashpoint analysts expect that as these actors mature, they will continue targeting financial institutions and other businesses.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: ISIS Cyber Capabilities Weak, Poorly Organized: Report | SecurityWeek.Com​

 

[Noxx]

I've only heard of ISIS successfully hacking government twitter pages... not exactly much of a feat. A good thing, though!

 

[DJ Panda]

You never know who could join ISIS... You never know a computer expert from the US could become rouge..

 

[upnorth]

You never know who could join ISIS... You never know a computer expert from the US could become rouge..

Experts already joined and they aren't alone. Quote : " Hypponen said hackers are moving from Europe to Syria, where officials worry they could launch attacks that shut down computer networks or damage critical infrastructure. He said the threat is so serious, a U.S. drone strike this summer targeted a British hacker who, U.S. and European officials said, had become a top cyber expert for the Islamic State in Syria. Authorities believe the hacker led the CyberCaliphate, a hacking group which in January attacked a Twitter account belonging to the Pentagon.

Asked to describe a “horror story,” Hyppönen didn’t hesitate. He said the threat is that these groups will perpetrate an attack that cyber criminals wouldn’t even consider — because there’s no money in it. They might, for example, target the Siemens systems that control 50 percent of the world’s factory equipment. "

Source : Cyber Security Expert Mikko Hyppönen Worries About Extremists With Computers

 

[OokamiCreed]

Not only do I vote "yes" for @J Gamez065 's point, any threat is still a threat not matter how small. Not taking a threat seriously is how they get worse.

 

[_CyberGhosT_]

Thats right OokamiCreed, just ask Obama.
Great comment.

Thanks for the share Morvotron.
PeAcE

 

[jamescv7]

No surprise, ISIS as been organized by numerous conspiracy concepts so for sure a well knowledge hacker already join in this smokescreen group in order to showcase they are powerful.

 

[omidomi]

Head of ISIS hacker come from EU / US that parts of people who was rejected by society or want to show their government "we never follow your rules "