Hackers trace ISIS Twitter accounts back to internet addresses linked to Department of Work and Pensions

Hackers trace ISIS Twitter accounts back to internet addresses linked to Department of Work and Pensions

18:39, 14 DEC 2015 UPDATED 18:09, 15 DEC 2015
BY JASPER HAMILL

Teenage computer experts unveil astonishing web of unpublicised interactions linking extremist social media mouthpieces to the British government

Hackers have claimed that a number of Islamic State supporters' social media accounts are being run from internet addresses linked to the Department of Work and Pensions.

A group of four young computer experts who call themselves VandaSec have unearthed evidence indicating that at least three ISIS-supporting accounts can be traced back to the DWP's London offices.

Every computer and mobile phone logs onto the internet using an IP address, which is a type of identification number.

Update: British government admits it can't stop ISIS extremists using internet addresses

The hacking collective showed Mirror Online details of the IP addresses used by a trio of separate digital jihadis to access Twitter accounts, which were then used to carry out online recruitment and propaganda campaigns.

At first glance, the IP addresses seem to be based in Saudi Arabia, but upon further inspection using specialist tools they appeared to link back to the DWP.

[link to www.mirror.co.uk]