Hackers claiming ISIS ties take over French TV network

Hackers claiming ISIS ties take over French TV network
Ability to black out a global television network is a new level of sophistication, experts say

ackers claiming allegiance to the Islamic State group seized control of a global French television network, simultaneously blacking out 11 channels and taking over the network's website and social media accounts. The attack appeared to be an unprecedented step in the extremist group's information warfare tactics.

The hackers briefly cut transmission of 11 channels belonging to TV5 Monde and took over its websites and social media accounts starting Wednesday night. The channel's director, Yves Bigot, said the attack was continuing Thursday. He told RTL radio that the network has restored its signal but can only broadcast recorded programs.

Newsweek's Twitter account hacked by group calling itself CyberCaliphate
U.S. military Twitter, YouTube accounts hacked by ISIS supporters
Malaysia Airlines site hacked by group claiming support for ISIS

The Islamic extremist group has claimed complex hackings before, but experts and a French official said the ability to black out a global television network represented a new level of sophistication for the group. The Paris prosecutor's office said Thursday it has opened a terrorism investigation into the attack.
France Network Hacked

This screenshot provided by TV5 Monde shows its Facebook page hacked by people claiming allegiance to the Islamic State group. The hackers briefly cut transmission of 11 channels belonging to TV5 Monde and took over its websites and social media accounts starting Wednesday night. (TV5 Monde/Associated Press)

Bigot said he was shaken when he saw the black screen across the network's broadcasts "and when we discovered the sense of the message appearing on our social media and our websites, it both allowed us to understand what was happening and obviously worried us."

The message on the TV5 Monde website read in part "I am IS" with a banner by a group that called itself Cybercaliphate. It was replaced later Thursday by a simple message saying that it was undergoing maintenance...

[link to www.cbc.ca]