Hacking group ‘Dark Storm’ claims responsibility for DDoS attack on X

A notorious hacking group with ties to Russia has taken credit for a massive cyberattack on social media platform X, leaving thousands of users unable to access the site. The Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack, which was reportedly launched on March 10, saw Downdetector record nearly 40,000 users experiencing issues accessing X.

However, according to platform owner Elon Musk, user functionality was quickly restored, suggesting that the attack may not have been entirely successful in taking down the site. Despite this, Musk confirmed that X had indeed suffered a cyberattack and provided some insight into the origins of the IP address used by the hackers, although he did not provide further details.

SpoyoSecure, a cybersecurity group, reported that the hacking group Dark Storm made a Telegram post claiming responsibility for the attack. The Telegram channel has since been deleted due to violating the platform's terms of service, but screenshots shared on X show the group stating they "took Twitter offline" alongside a screenshot of failed connection attempts from various global locations.

Ed Krassenstein, a social media personality and co-founder of NFT marketplace NFTz.me, also reported investigating the attack and was in touch with Dark Storm's leader. The pro-Palestinian hacker group has been active since 2023 and is known for targeting NATO countries. According to Krassenstein, the group's leader claimed they carried out the attack as a demonstration of their strength, with no political motives.

It comes amid violence at Tesla facilities around the US as part of a broader "Take down Tesla" movement protesting Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The protests have been sparked by Musk's efforts to cut spending on various government initiatives that are deemed unnecessary or ineffective. Despite the controversy, Musk remains committed to his vision for DOGE and believes it is "doing the right thing here."

Tesla stock has also taken a hit as a result of the protests, with shares currently trading at $222 per share down over 15% from their previous closing price. The stock has been volatile in recent weeks, with prices fluctuating wildly due to the ongoing tensions surrounding Musk's leadership and the Department of Government Efficiency.

This is not the first time X has suffered a DDoS attack. In August last year, Musk claimed the platform was hit by hackers prior to his interview with then-presidential hopeful Donald Trump. The recent attack on X serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by cyberattacks and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in protecting online platforms.