UK spies hack al Qaeda, replace bomb info with cupcake recipes - The Orange Mane

DenverBrit · 06-03-2011, 09:29 AM

Next week: How to make a steak and kidney pie.

UK spies hack al Qaeda, replace bomb info with cupcake recipes

MI6 targets English language magazine aimed at Western Muslims

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - British spies hacked into an al Qaeda website to replace instructions on how to build a bomb with recipes for making cupcakes, newspapers reported on Friday.

The cyber offensive took place last year when the English language magazine called Inspire, aimed at Muslims in the West, was launched by supporters of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

British intelligence officers based at the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the state eavesdropping service, attacked the 67-page magazine, leaving most of it garbled, British newspapers said.

Instead of being able to read how to "Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom," readers were greeted with computer code which actually contained recipes from The Best Cupcakes in America, published by U.S. chat show host Ellen DeGeneres.

The Washington Post reported that the British action followed a dispute between the CIA and the newly formed U.S. Cyber Command.

The cyber unit had wanted to block the al Qaeda magazine but the CIA, which had countered such an attack would expose sources and intelligence methods, won the debate and declined to allow an attack on Inspire.

The paper reported that it took almost two weeks for AQAP to post a corrected version of the magazine after it had been sabotaged.

A British security source said the Post's report was accurate but could not confirm details of the reported cupcake operation.

Last year, Britain's new National Security Strategy placed cyber attacks as one of the top threats to the country, and ministers have repeatedly spoken out about the danger posed by extremist Islamist websites.

Rohirrim · 06-03-2011, 10:02 AM

Later that week, Ahmed was arrested for leaving a backpack full of cupcakes on the subway.

Bronco Bob · 06-05-2011, 10:10 PM

Hey, the Brits are good at this sneaky stuff. Look how they screwed with the Nazis in WW2. After that, al-Qaeda is a piece of (cup)cake.

cutthemdown · 06-06-2011, 12:00 AM

Good show chap!

BroncoInferno · 06-06-2011, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenverBrit

Instead of being able to read how to "Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom," readers were greeted with computer code which actually contained recipes from The Best Cupcakes in America, published by U.S. chat show host Ellen DeGeneres.

Next step: replace their training videos with Richard Simmons' "Sweatin' to the Oldies."

epicSocialism4tw · 06-06-2011, 01:08 PM

Send 'em some more DVD's!

06-03-2011, 09:29 AM	#1
DenverBrit Just hanging out. Got a breath mint?? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Denver Posts: 11,072 Adopt-a-Bronco: The Team	UK spies hack al Qaeda, replace bomb info with cupcake recipes Next week: How to make a steak and kidney pie. UK spies hack al Qaeda, replace bomb info with cupcake recipes MI6 targets English language magazine aimed at Western Muslims LONDON (Reuters Life!) - British spies hacked into an al Qaeda website to replace instructions on how to build a bomb with recipes for making cupcakes, newspapers reported on Friday. The cyber offensive took place last year when the English language magazine called Inspire, aimed at Muslims in the West, was launched by supporters of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). British intelligence officers based at the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the state eavesdropping service, attacked the 67-page magazine, leaving most of it garbled, British newspapers said. Instead of being able to read how to "Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom," readers were greeted with computer code which actually contained recipes from The Best Cupcakes in America, published by U.S. chat show host Ellen DeGeneres. The Washington Post reported that the British action followed a dispute between the CIA and the newly formed U.S. Cyber Command. The cyber unit had wanted to block the al Qaeda magazine but the CIA, which had countered such an attack would expose sources and intelligence methods, won the debate and declined to allow an attack on Inspire. The paper reported that it took almost two weeks for AQAP to post a corrected version of the magazine after it had been sabotaged. A British security source said the Post's report was accurate but could not confirm details of the reported cupcake operation. Last year, Britain's new National Security Strategy placed cyber attacks as one of the top threats to the country, and ministers have repeatedly spoken out about the danger posed by extremist Islamist websites.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Baja Volitility Index (BVI)	ak1971	War, Religion and Politics Thread	28	12-12-2008 05:25 PM

06-03-2011, 10:02 AM	#2
Rohirrim Partisan Human Cannonball Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Twixt Hell & Highwater Posts: 48,850	Later that week, Ahmed was arrested for leaving a backpack full of cupcakes on the subway.

06-05-2011, 10:10 PM	#3
Bronco Bob Tastee Freeze Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 9,464 Adopt-a-Bronco: Champ Bailey	Hey, the Brits are good at this sneaky stuff. Look how they screwed with the Nazis in WW2. After that, al-Qaeda is a piece of (cup)cake.

06-06-2011, 12:00 AM	#4
cutthemdown A verbis ad verbera Zimm to HOF Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Beach Posts: 32,523	Good show chap!

06-06-2011, 01:08 PM	#6
epicSocialism4tw Tebowing the long haul all the way to the title Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: TX, USA Posts: 37,072 Adopt-a-Bronco: Champ Bailey	Send 'em some more DVD's!