The Internet Archive, the massive online repository, has come back online after two weeks of downtime due to a cyberattack on October 8. This incident exposed sensitive data from millions of users, leading the Archive to operate in a limited 'read-only' mode. Features such as media uploads, book lending, and interlibrary loans are currently unavailable.
Chris Freeland, the Internet Archive's Library Services Director, emphasized the organization's commitment to data security, stating, 'Our priority remains the security and integrity of the data and patrons of the Internet Archive.' The organization is actively analyzing the security breach and has contained the incident. Their efforts are focused on strengthening firewall systems and enhancing data protection.
The Internet Archive, a nonprofit based in San Francisco, offers a unique platform for user-generated content, including PDFs, videos, and music, alongside a vast historical archive. However, the recent hack compromised email addresses, usernames, password change timestamps, and hashed passwords, affecting approximately 31 million individuals. The attackers, identifying as a pro-Palestinian hacktivist group named SN_BLACKMETA, claimed responsibility, alleging the Archive's ties to the U.S. government.
Despite this, the Internet Archive operates as a private nonprofit, independent of government control. The site resumed access to its Wayback Machine on October 13 and to Archive-It on October 17. The Wayback Machine is an essential tool for internet research, preserving millions of web pages, some dating back over two decades. Following the closure of Google's Cache service earlier this year, Google partnered with the Internet Archive to provide links to the Wayback Machine, enhancing its value for users seeking historical web content.
The Internet Archive has expressed gratitude to its users for their support and patience during the recovery process, encouraging them to stay updated via its official blog and social media platforms like X/Twitter, Bluesky, and Mastodon. They also referenced recent cyberattacks on libraries, including the Seattle Public Library, which faced disruptions earlier this year.