From Ars Technica · · 1m 10s
Meteor tracking nonprofit crippled by cyberattack
The International Meteor Organization says it will take weeks to recover from the attack on its aging infrastructure.
In brief
The International Meteor Organization says it will take weeks to recover from the attack on its aging infrastructure. The International Meteor Organization, which coordinates global meteor observations, is offline for weeks after a cyberattack destroyed its aging infrastructure. Originally reported by Ars Technica.
Meteor tracker hit by cyberattack
The International Meteor Organization says a cyberattack dealt a critical blow to its aging infrastructure, taking most of its site offline.
“We recently suffered a cyberattack that dealt a critical blow to aging infrastructure, taking much of our site offline.”
Weeks of downtime expected
The organization expects several weeks of partial downtime as it transitions to new infrastructure and services.
What the IMO does
Founded in 1988, the IMO coordinates meteor observations and maintains databases of text, photos, and videos considered essential by researchers.
Motive remains unclear
It's unclear why anyone would target an organization tracking space objects or want to steal its mostly public data.
“It's unclear why an organization that tracks large, fiery space objects hurtling toward Earth would be the target of a damaging cyberattack.”
Space attacks are rare
Attacks on space organizations are uncommon but have happened before, including hacks on NASA, the National Science Foundation, and a Chilean observatory.
No ransom demand reported
Unlike a 2023 ransomware attack on the American Meteorological Society, no group has claimed responsibility or demanded payment.
The main idea
The International Meteor Organization, which coordinates global meteor observations, is offline for weeks after a cyberattack destroyed its aging infrastructure.
