Hackers Post Disturbing Videos to Online Forum Used by UC Irvine Students
IRVINE, Calif. – Last week, hackers carried out a malicious cyberattack on the online forums commonly used by students and teachers at UC Irvine, resulting in the posting of grotesque videos showcasing the desecration of human corpses and animal mutilation.
Around 3,000 users of Discord groups associated with UCI were exposed to the distressing content, which was so shocking that it caused some students to require hospitalization. Alina Kim, who manages several Discord servers, revealed that a few students even experienced excessive vomiting due to the horrifying images. She expressed how deeply affected many users were by the incident, with some losing sleep over the ordeal.
The cyberattack occurred on January 9, flooding the Discord groups with disruptive pop-ups and causing significant academic interruptions. These servers are crucial for students’ class communications and group projects, making the attack all the more disruptive.
UC Irvine, however, stated that the school does not govern or monitor the Discord servers nor the activities within them as they are solely student-run. Alina Kim speculated that the hackers might have obtained a student’s login information, allowing them access to the servers. Interestingly, the hackers then demanded a $1,000 ransom.
In a ransom message, the attackers took pride in their actions, claiming, One club deleted their entire discord, we made one poor bastard vomit, and the entire discord network is being locked down. These statements further indicate that they targeted schools indiscriminately, seemingly motivated by attention-seeking behaviors.
Alina Kim is currently collaborating with other server managers in an attempt to identify the individuals behind the attack. She believes that the hackers have now shifted their focus solely to schools, seemingly driven by their recent spree and a desire for notoriety.
The repercussions of this cyberattack serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that educational institutions face in the digital age. While it remains crucial for students and faculty to maintain online connections and leverage platforms like Discord for educational purposes, it is equally important to bolster security measures and remain vigilant against potential threats.
As the investigation continues, the UC Irvine community is hopeful that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. In the meantime, users are encouraged to report any suspicious activities and remain cautious while accessing online platforms.
This troubling incident highlights the need for increased cybersecurity efforts, not only within educational institutions but across various sectors. It serves as a reminder that everyone must remain vigilant and proactive in the face of cyber threats to protect valuable digital spaces and maintain a safe online environment for all.
