The Internet Archive, a digital library and home to the popular Wayback Machine, has resumed services after experiencing a series of cyberattacks, including a data breach and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
According to an official statement from the organization, the attacks forced the Internet Archive to temporarily shut down its services to protect user data and prevent further damage.
We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused and are grateful for the patience and understanding of our users,” said Brewster Kahle, founder and digital librarian of the Internet Archive. “We take the security and integrity of our systems very seriously and are taking all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Internet Archive has confirmed that the attacks resulted in unauthorized access to some user data, including email addresses and passwords. However, the organization assured that no sensitive information, such as financial data or personal identifiable information, was compromised.
To address the issue, the Internet Archive has implemented additional security measures, including:
- Enhanced password security and two-factor authentication.
- Increased monitoring and incident response capabilities.
- Regular security audits and penetration testing.
The Internet Archive has also announced that it will operate in read-only mode for the time being, allowing users to access archived content while restricting uploads and modifications.
Background
The Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library that provides free access to over 330 billion web pages, 28 million books, and 4 million audio recordings. The Wayback Machine, its flagship service, allows users to browse archived versions of websites dating back to 1996.
Impact
The temporary shutdown of the Internet Archive sparked concerns among researchers, historians, and journalists who rely on the platform for accessing historical information.
The Internet Archive is an invaluable resource for our work,” said Dr. Emma Taylor, a historian at Harvard University. “We’re relieved that services have resumed and appreciate the organization’s commitment to security and transparency.
The Internet Archive’s swift response to the cyberattacks and commitment to enhanced security measures demonstrate its dedication to protecting user data and ensuring the integrity of its services.As the Internet Archive continues to operate in read-only mode, users can access archived content while the organization works to fully restore services.
