Department of Homeland Security investigates apparent hacking of government website

The Department of Homeland Security is investigating into an apparent hacking of a government website Saturday night, which displayed pro-Iran messages.

News 12 Staff

Jan 5, 2020, 12:06 PM

Updated 1,583 days ago

Share:

An investigation is underway after a government website was hacked Saturday night involving pro-Iran messages.
Just days after the United States killed one of Iran's top military leaders, the Federal Depository Library Program's site was vandalized.

The website was defaced Saturday with pro-Iranian messages and an image of President Donald Trump bleeding from the mouth.

"We're looking at a country that has a phenomenal cyber capability. Cyber experts in the government will tell you they rank as one of the better cyber-capability countries to conduct attacks," said counterterrorism expert Sal Lifrieri.

He suspects the attack on the FDLP website was by an Iran-sympathizer and not the government. Lifrieri says Iran's state-sponsored cyberattacks will aim for bigger targets.

"Attacks on communications networks, data networks, or even electrical grids, stuff like that," he says.

The Department of Homeland Security is reinforcing that concern. In a warning message Saturday night, DHS said, "Iran maintains a robust cyber program and is capable at a minimum of carrying out attacks with temporary disruptive effects against critical infrastructure."

Earlier this week, DHS's top cybersecurity official also reupped a warning first made over the summer about ongoing Iranian phishing attacks. 
 
Cybersecurity experts tell News 12 that the US should be prepared for Iranians to use their cyber abilities as part of a retaliation effort, adding that it’s a tactic they've used in the past.
 


More from News 12
1:52
Police: Child struck by vehicle in Spring Valley, taken to Westchester Medical Center

Police: Child struck by vehicle in Spring Valley, taken to Westchester Medical Center

2:24
Mild, temperatures in the 70s Tuesday in the Hudson Valley

Mild, temperatures in the 70s Tuesday in the Hudson Valley

1:56
Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

1:42
24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

1:49
SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

0:50
Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

1:36
‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

0:23
State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

1:01
Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

0:35
Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

1:11
SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

1:53
FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

2:15
Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

1:20
Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

0:45
Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

0:47
New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

1:51
Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

3:17
SUNY Purchase students hold quiet demonstration following arrests of protestors

SUNY Purchase students hold quiet demonstration following arrests of protestors