Researchers at RSA detail a rare glimpse into the specific strategies, tools, and tactics used by Anonymous to infiltrate or take down websites.

Mathew J. Schwartz, Contributor

February 29, 2012

1 Min Read

Anonymous: 10 Facts About The Hacktivist Group

Anonymous: 10 Facts About The Hacktivist Group


Anonymous: 10 Facts About The Hacktivist Group (click image for larger view and for slideshow)

How do hacktivists launch attacks? A new report details an online assault launched in August by the hacktivist collective Anonymous that lasted for 25 days, and which was designed to disrupt a specific event.

The research, released Sunday by data security vendor Imperva on the eve of this week's RSA conference in San Francisco, offers a rare glimpse into the specific strategies, tools, and tactics used by Anonymous in its attempts to infiltrate or take down websites.

While officials at Imperva declined to identify the attacked organization, according to news reports, the attack was launched against a Vatican website. The Vatican likewise declined to confirm the attack, but according to news reports, a church official accidentally sent an email--intended for a colleague--to a journalist that read, "I do not think it is convenient to respond to journalists on real or potential attacks," and that "the more we are silent in this area the better."

[ See our complete RSA

About the Author(s)

Mathew J. Schwartz

Contributor

Mathew Schwartz served as the InformationWeek information security reporter from 2010 until mid-2014.

Keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats, newly discovered vulnerabilities, data breach information, and emerging trends. Delivered daily or weekly right to your email inbox.

You May Also Like


More Insights