WikiLeaks often leaves government officials and organisations red faced. However, the data-leaking website got a taste of its own medicine after coming under attack from notorious hacker group OurMine.
Thursday 31 August saw the WikiLeaks website replaced with a message from the group.
Go deeper with GlobalData
It claimed to be in response to a “hack us” challenge issued by the site, as well as a past attack from fellow hacker collective Anonymous.
The WikiLeaks website has since returned to normal. However, the humiliation remains, courtesy of the #WikiLeaksHack hashtag that the group started.
However, WikiLeaks aren’t alone.
They are one of many organisations and individuals to have suffered an attack from the Saudi Arabian-based group over the last 18 months.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataA timeline of OurMine: Who has the group hacked in the past?
| 23/5/2016 Deadmau5 |
||
| 6/6/2016 Mark Zuckerberg |
||
| 21/6/16 Shuhei Yoshida |
||
| 22/6/16 Channing Tatum |
||
| 24/6/16 Daniel Ek |
||
| 28/6/16 Sundar Pichai |
||
| 11/7/16 Jack Dorsey |
||
| 26/7/16 TechCrunch |
||
| 1/8/16 John Hanke |
||
| 21/8/17 PlayStation |
||
| 22/8/16 Jimmy Wales |
||
| 5/10/16 BuzzFeed |
||
| 21/12/16 Netflix |
||
| 21/12/16 Marvel |
||
| 26/12/16 Sony Music |
||
| 31/12/16 National Geographic |
||
| 7/1/17 David Guetta |
||
| 22/1/17 New York Times |
||
| 29/1/17 WWE |
||
| 27/4/17 Medium |
||
| 17/8/17 HBO |
||
| 26/8/17 FC Barcelona |
||
| 26/8/17 Real Madrid |
||
| 31/8/17 WikiLeaks |
Who and what is OurMine?
The group have made a name for themselves by targeting high profile individuals and organisations on social media, but who are they?
Rather than hackers, OurMine describes itself as a security group. They are best described as “grey hat” hackers. Not quite good, but not quite bad.
They break into these accounts in order to highlight security flaws and often use these hacks in order to advertise their security services.
According to Wired, the group charges companies anywhere from $30 to $5,000 to check their current security measures.
The identities of those behind OurMine are unknown. Although, they are believed to be three young people based in Saudi Arabia. This is according to records posted by internet activists Anonymous after the two groups fell out.
