A cyberattack directed at the American business magazine Fast Company on Sept. 25 forced the monthly publication to shut down its server for more than a week. The malicious attack took control of Fast Company's content management system (CMS) and published several messages, which were received by a large number of users within hours.
Users received notifications that directed them to a vandalized article containing inappropriate language. The article was first published in 2009, and the author's name was replaced with "Hacked by Vinny Troia," a reference to a cybersecurity researcher.
Following previous reports, the Fast Company experienced a second attack on Sept. 27 before taking appropriate action for the said intrusion. The incident occurred after Fast Company News was hacked by someone identified as "Thrax." Although a name has been revealed, it is still unknown who was responsible for the security breach.
Fast Company News Is Back Online
Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan announced today in an article that the online publication is returning to its regular programming. In the post, Vaughan described how the hackers commandeered their home page and modified each news article with an obscene and racist message that boldly claimed responsibility for the attack. The post also mentioned a redo of the foul action two days later, which many Apple News subscribers received.
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The head editor also stated that no client or advertising firm information was revealed as a result of the malicious cyberattack. It has also been confirmed that the online publication and its sister journal, Inc.com, and Fast corporate website, Mansueto.com, successfully completed the CMS takeover investigation. Vaughan did not go on to share any additional information about the findings of the investigations.
Based on an Engadget report, Fast Company used an extremely simple password for its WordPress CMS and re-used it for other accounts. Hackers were able to obtain the company's Apple News API keys in addition to authentication tokens that provided them with access to employee names, email addresses, and IP addresses.
As per Vaughan, the website was shut down as a precaution, and the company is confident that its websites and associated services are secure from future attacks.
Online Threats Haunt Websites
Cybercriminals began stealing corporate databases from the open web. In just a few weeks, major online platforms have been the target of several cyberattacks directed at their secure internal systems. Uber, 2K, and Rockstar Games, to name a few, recently found their data at the end of a breach.
Social media platforms have also attracted hackers by inviting them to concoct digital identity theft. Viruses, phishing scams, and ransomware have become all too common.
According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, corporate management should take the lead in making cybersecurity management a top priority across all business practices.
Meanwhile, Fast Company's editor-in-chief stated in an article that the incident "will lead to a better, smarter, more secure, and nimble Fast Company in the future."
