Summary
The Internet Archive is currently facing significant legal challenges and a major data breach, impacting millions of users. The breach has exposed the personal information of approximately 31 million accounts, including hashed passwords and email addresses, while the organization simultaneously grapples with ongoing Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks and legal issues stemming from copyright infringement lawsuits.
In October 2024, the Internet Archive confirmed a security breach that resulted in the theft of user authentication data, which was subsequently shared publicly. This incident followed a series of DDoS attacks that rendered the website largely inaccessible. The attackers, claiming to be part of a group named SN_Blackmeta, have stated their motives are politically driven, criticizing the U.S. government’s stance on international issues. Concurrently, the Internet Archive is dealing with legal ramifications from a copyright lawsuit that resulted in a ruling against its practices of digitizing and lending books, which the court deemed infringing. The organization is appealing this decision but faces potential financial distress from ongoing litigation, including another lawsuit from music labels seeking substantial damages.
Data Breach Details
The breach involved the exposure of a database containing user records, including email addresses and hashed passwords, which was confirmed by the Internet Archive and security researcher Troy Hunt. Users are urged to change their passwords and monitor their accounts for any suspicious activity. The breach has raised concerns about the security measures in place at the Archive, which has been working to enhance its systems in response to the attack.
Ongoing Legal Issues
The Internet Archive has been embroiled in legal battles related to copyright infringement, particularly after the launch of its National Emergency Library during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative aimed to provide access to books during library closures but led to lawsuits from publishers who argued that the Archive’s practices violated copyright laws. The organization is appealing the rulings but faces significant financial and operational challenges as it navigates these legal hurdles alongside the recent data breach.
Internet Archive hackers sending email replies to support tickets [U]
Oct. 21 / 9to5 Mac / Offers a detailed examination of the breach's implications, including the hackers' continued access to user data and the Archive's legal struggles. The authoritative tone and comprehensive coverage provide valuable insights, though it may overwhelm some readers with its length. “ Update on October 21: The hackers still have access to support tickets and the email addresses of the users who submitted them, and are currently sending...
Oct. 10 / Pc Gamer / Highlights the chaos surrounding the Internet Archive's security breach and DDoS attacks, providing timely updates and first-hand accounts from insiders, while also capturing the attackers' motivations. Engaging and informative, it effectively contextualizes the breach within ongoing legal issues, though it could benefit from a more in-depth analysis of the Archive's future. “ The Internet Archive—the online repository of, well, pretty much everything —is under attack. It's been hit by a series of DDOSes that have rendered the site...