Self-Proclaimed 'ISIS' Affiliate Hacks Somerville Bar

Image Cred: Channel7

The FBI hasn’t determined whether it’s the work of a vicious terrorist syndicate or some dumb yahoo with too much time on their hands.

What is known for sure is numerous company websites across the U.S. had their homepages replaced with foreboding propaganda over the weekend. The digital doodle features the phrase “Hacked by Islamic State (ISIS). We Are Everywhere :)” beneath the official ISIS flag.

Among the businesses targeted - Union Square cocktail outlet, Backbar.

“All I know is it’s graffiti, and we’re trying to get it down as soon as possible,”co-owner Sam Treadway told Boston.com, asked if he thought the authentic ISIS organization had orchestrated the the hack. Backbar’s website was back to normal by Monday morning.

According to Channel7, websites hacked in the same manner included a Goodwill, a zoo, a restaurant in Cincinnati, and a racetrack in Ohio, many of which have also since been fixed. Boston.com reports that a since-deleted Facebook page connected to the hacks boasted of access to MIT and UC Berkeley websites.

Channel7 also reports that the FBI figures ISIS sympathizers, not the real deal, are probably to blame for these obnoxious inconveniences.