An India-based search optimization firm became the target of a cyberattack this week because it was unfortunate enough to share a similar name with online search giant Google, Newsweek has reported.The Cyber Caliphate Army branch of the Islamic State militant group ISIS had vowed on Monday to shut down Google's web operations. While Google's site appears to have operated normally since then, the same could not be said for Add Google Online, the Indian firm whose website was defaced with ISIS imagery and audio.Despite the small scope of the attack, experts quoted in the Newsweek report warn that such incidents are a signal that the cyber capabilities of ISIS are growing in sophistication.A second report by Express in the U.K. noted that following the original hack, Add Google Online's website was subsequently taken over by another hacker group, known as n3far1ous, which posted anti-ISIS sentiments.
Threat Management, Incident Response, Network Security, TDR, Threat Management
ISIS cyberarmy targets Google, instead defaces site of similarly named Indian firm
An In-Depth Guide to Network Security
Get essential knowledge and practical strategies to fortify your network security.
Bradley Barth
As director of multimedia content strategy at CyberRisk Alliance, Bradley Barth develops content for online conferences, webcasts, podcasts video/multimedia projects — often serving as moderator or host. For nearly six years, he wrote and reported for SC Media as deputy editor and, before that, senior reporter. He was previously a program executive with the tech-focused PR firm Voxus. Past journalistic experience includes stints as business editor at Executive Technology, a staff writer at New York Sportscene and a freelance journalist covering travel and entertainment. In his spare time, Bradley also writes screenplays.
Related Events
Get daily email updates
SC Media's daily must-read of the most current and pressing daily news
You can skip this ad in 5 seconds