Are Isis hackers trying to destroy the internet?

International Business Times via MSN ^ | 12/17/15 | Anthony Cuthbertson

[Libloather]

A smartphone app used by Islamic State (Isis) to spread news and propaganda could be behind the massive attack on the internet's core infrastructure that took place earlier this month, according to several cybersecurity experts.

Analysis of the IS Amaq Agency app has revealed that it was potentially the source of a botnet created to perform a massive DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack on root name servers. A more powerful attack in the future could cause significant disruption to internet services and could even temporarily take down the internet.

**SNIP**

Until recently, the cyber capabilities of IS have been thought to be very limited. Despite declaring a cyberwar against the West and proclaiming a "cyber caliphate", no major attacks have previously been attributed to the group.

[Libloather]

"Imagine if the internet went down for several days, I believe we would see significant power grid failure and potentially loss of emergency services," Mize tells IBTimes UK. "This could mean the failure of dams and flood controls, power and water distribution, natural gas distribution and control failure, and more.

That's one way to get your message out.

[Excellence]

How many individual bots were involved? That’s how many IS sympathizers downloaded the app. That alone should be a source of concern.

[Cowboy Bob]

Why is it that these muslim terrorists are always portrayed as the bravest, most clever, most dedicated people on the planet? The media always says that they are superhuman!

I remember in the run up to the 1st Gulf War, the media always pointed out that the Iraqi army was the 4th biggest in the world! And yet they collapsed in a matter of days.

I suspect that ISIS will do the same if any country get serious about defeating them.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

"That is how many IS sympathizers downloaded the app."

If you can trace who downloaded it, any of those who did this knowingly in the US should be immediately charged with treason (if citizens), or treated as enemy combatants (if non-citizens).

[b4its2late]

Sounds like a good plan. Not happening with the bonehead we have in charge right now though.

[patriotspride]

Maybe the Donald is on to something regarding “ internet warfare” vs ISIS aka know as ISIL per Barry O, the clever one who likes to poke fun at us by thinking we don’t know what he’s doing with his wordplays.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Libloather.

[dayglored]

Of possible interest for Tech Ping...

[Excellence]

Nah, that would be profiling. 🙈🙉🙊