WATCH: ISIS sympathizers took over social media accounts belonging to U.S. Central Command, sharing pro-ISIS messages and personal information. But, U.S. officials have downplayed the hack. Mike Le Couteur reports.
A series of tweets in support of ISIS appeared on the Twitter feed and YouTube channel for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) early Monday.
CENTCOM, based in Florida, did not yet have an official response to the apparent hacking when contacted by Global News.
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The accounts have since been suspended. CENTCOM’s website was not affected.
A series of tweets, which began appearing around 12:30 p.m. ET, came from a group calling itself the “CyberCaliphate” and included warnings for U.S. soldiers.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said officials did not yet have much information about the incident.
“This is something we’re obviously looking into and something we are taking very seriously,” Earnest said.
Earnest pointed out that there is a difference between “a significant data breach and the hacking of a Twitter account.”
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“We’re still examining and investigating the extent of this incident,” he said during a White House press briefing.
But, some tweets contained what appeared to be lists of names and contact information of Army staff.
Other tweets alleged the Pentagon’s computer network had been hacked as well. Two tweets purported to show images containing information about North Korea and China.
CENTCOM, in a statement released late Monday afternoon, confirmed “operational military networks were not compromised” and its operations were in no way affected.
“Additionally, we are notifying the appropriate DoD (Department of Defense) and law enforcement authorities about the potential release of personally identifiable information and will take appropriate steps to ensure any individuals potentially affected are notified as quick as possible.”
In an email to Global News, Federal Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Jennifer Shearer said the bureau is working with CENTCOM and the Department of Defense to “determine the nature and scope of this incident.”
Meantime, the Pentagon said it appears most of the material was labelled “FOUO,” which means “For Official Use Only,” but none of it appeared to be classified or sensitive information.
“This is little more than a prank or vandalism. It’s inconvenient and it’s an annoyance. But that’s all it is,” said Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman. “It in no way compromises our operations in any way shape or form.”
CENTCOM, according to its website, is “responsible for U.S. security interests in 20 nations, stretching through the Arabian Gulf region into Central Asia.”
ISIS propaganda on YouTube channel
CENTCOM’s YouTube channel was also hacked.
The account, created in 2006, posted two ISIS propaganda videos, titled The Flames of War and O Soldiers of Truth Go Forth.
The accounts were hacked just as President Barack Obama was wrapping up a speech about cyber-security and data hacking.
Speaking at the Federal Trade Commission, Obama proposed strengthening laws against identity theft by requiring notification when consumer information is hacked, providing more free access to credit scores and protecting students’ private data.
Obama said identity theft is a growing problem that costs billions of dollars and can “ruin your life.” He said the age of technology and digital innovation has created enormous vulnerabilities for the U.S. and cited the recent hack on Sony Pictures Entertainment as an example.
“This is a direct threat to the economic security of American families and we need to stop it,” Obama said in a speech at the Federal Trade Commission. “If we are going to be connected, we need to be protected.”
With files from The Associated Press
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