FBI says it targeted website of Shiny Hunters group

In a statement, the FBI stated that it is aware of allegations of unauthorized activity affecting FBIjobs.gov and is currently investigating.

While the agency was investigating the case, a job application portal on the FBI's website crashed. A note on the site states that the Special Agent Application Portal is currently unavailable.

THE GROUP CALLED SHINY HUNTERS IS AT THE CENTER OF THE CLAIMS

The FBI's statement came hours after the hacker group known as Shiny Hunters declared the FBI as a victim on dark web sites.

The group said it was prompted by a recent alert that analyzed the agency's alleged tactics to extort money from victim organizations. Hackers claimed to have accessed FBI data as of Monday evening.

In its warning in May, the FBI noted that Shiny Hunters targeted large companies in the technology, finance and retail sectors and often stole millions of customer records at a time.

In the following months, the group hacked multiple large-scale healthcare organizations, prompting an industry group to call the hackers a clear and present danger to the global healthcare industry.

PIRATES' PURPOSE IS NOT CLEAR

The hackers' ultimate goal regarding the FBI remains unclear. Those in the group demanded the bureau remove or revise its online warning but argued they were not financially motivated in this case.

US government agencies generally do not pay ransoms to hackers. This is just the latest example of US law enforcement being targeted by the cybercrime groups they are investigating.

CYBER ATTACKS IN THE PAST

In March, a suspicious cybersecurity incident was reported on a sensitive computer network that the FBI uses to manage wiretaps and intelligence surveillance warrants.

A possibly Russian-speaking cybercriminal ring last month leaked sensitive law enforcement documents it stole from the Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was stated that the leaked files contained information about the targets of past investigations and analyzes of phone conversations.

A 2023 ransomware attack against the U.S. Law Enforcement Service targeted the subjects of their investigation.