The popular dating and friendship website, OkCupid, has allegedly been targeted by the cybercriminal group known as Türk Hack Team. Cybersecurity researchers have shared a screenshot from the hackers’ leaking website, providing evidence of the attack. While OkCupid has not yet confirmed the cyber attack, The Cyber Express has reached out to the company for comment and will update the report accordingly.
According to Falcon Feeds, a threat intelligence service, the OkCupid website was temporarily down. Users were unable to connect to the site and were advised to try again later. Screenshots posted by Türk Hack Team on their dark web portal showed the servers in various locations experiencing errors or being offline after the reported cyber attack. The impacted locations included Sydney, Vienna, Saõ Paulo, and Sofia. It is still unclear how the attack may have affected OkCupid’s systems or if any data was compromised. The ransom amount, if there was one, has also not been disclosed.
In recent news, OkCupid announced the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its search results. The dating platform’s head of global communications, Michael Kaye, revealed that the company would be using the OpenAI chatbot ChatGPT to create a new category of questions that would power their matching algorithm. Kaye stated that users had responded positively to the new category of questions, which demonstrated OkCupid’s commitment to incorporating evolving technologies into their service.
Türk Hack Team has been active in carrying out cyber attacks in recent times. The group, founded in 2004, is one of the oldest threat actors in the cybersecurity landscape. Most notably, they claimed responsibility for a cyber attack on 7 Star Alliance. The hacker group has also collaborated with Anonymous Sudan, as confirmed by Marcus Murray, the founder of Truesec Group, in a LinkedIn post. The post further revealed the group’s plans for future cyber attacks, mentioning the upcoming Turkish election and the NATO summit in Vilnius.
While the details of Türk Hack Team’s motivations and objectives remain uncertain, their recent cyber attacks have included website defacement. In one such attack, they referenced the historical region of Iranian origin, Turan, accusing western and eastern powers of disrupting unity and togetherness. The group’s message on the defaced homepage emphasized their determination to fight and reclaim victory for their nation.
Interestingly, another group called the Wagner group, a Russian private military company operating in Syria, has also launched a cyber attack on Russia. The aim of their attack was to recruit more members for their group. Although the Russian Turan Group in Syria shares similarities with the Wagner group, their motives and actions seem to differ.
As investigations into the alleged OkCupid cyber attack continue, it is crucial for companies and individuals alike to remain vigilant in protecting their online security. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods, and it is essential to stay informed and take necessary precautions to safeguard personal data and privacy. OkCupid, like many other internet platforms, faces ongoing challenges in maintaining a secure online environment for its users amidst the constant threat of cyber attacks.