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Hackers attack MI5 website
30.07.09
Computer hackers attacked MI5's official website in an apparent bid to steal the identities of visitors to the site, it was reported today.
The security breach could also have enabled the hackers to download viruses onto the machines of anyone using the British intelligence services website, the Daily Express reported.
A Whitehall spokeswoman said there had been a "small issue" with a search engine linked to the MI5 website.
She said: "MI5 take security very seriously. Their website is secure and hosted in a high security environment."
Tory MP Patrick Mercer, who is chairman of the Commons' counter-terrorism sub-committee, told the newspaper: "Having potentially highly-classified information available to hackers is deeply concerning.
"The identity of agents and informers in terror groups such as al Qaeda are held by MI5."
Reader views (9)
well if a chap with severe mental disability can hack nasa etc then what chance have Mi5 got?
- Pete, UK
I am suprised that this is a news item , the web is under constant 24 hr bombardment from hackers all over the world with differing motives. So why the gasp of indignation, get real!!, I am suprised that the whole system has not yet been compromised, and seriously abused. Much investment is needed for our National Security, this is only the tip of the iceberg, We are extraditing a guy with no real motive, other than looking for aliens to the USA for hacking NASA, So imagine what a real corp of professionals can do
- Bob, carmarthen wales
Does it take a government 'spokeswoman' to tell us that the Security Service takes security very seriously ? Her job would appear to be redundant.
- Peter Haldane, London
What incompetence by MI5, if they must have a website it must not be of any consequence if hacked into.
As observed above ID cards could not be trusted.
- Edwin, beaconsfield buckinghamshire
Says it all really about trusting the government with out private data.
Maybe next time MI5 should hire some real programmers rather than a consultancy with outsourced staff.
- Simon, London
It's true the site has indeed been hacked. The hackers put in lots of grammatical errors and messed up the spelling of simple words. The fiends!
- Ethan, uk
The identities of agents and informers are probably not at all at risk at all, due to the fact that the website would be in the DMZ securely unhooked from the other servers.
Coupled with this, we're talking about '5', they 'surely' don't lose information or let secrets slip! I mean, it wasn't on a laptop!
Su
- Su Jenkins, London
This doesn“t give me much confidence in British Intelligence!
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands
Doesn't bode well for ID cards does it.
- Jimbob, Kensington
