Luas takes down website after a hacker hijack for Bitcoin ransom

Jan 3, 2019

by Sorcha McManigan

The Luas website has been taken down this morning, after a hacker left a message for the transport system.

Before the page was removed from the web, when customers went to the website, the usual information didn't appear.

Instead a message showed up saying that if one bitcoin wasn't deposited within five days, their data would be released.

The text read: "You are hacked. Some time ago I wrote that you have serious security holes."

"You didn't reply, the next time someone talks to you, press the reply button."

"You must pay 1 bitcoin in 5 days, otherwise I will publish all data and send emails to your users."

The hacker then left an address for the bitcoin to be deposited to.

Due to an ongoing issue, please do not click onto the Luas website. We currently have technicians working on the issue. We will be using this forum only for travel updates should the need arise. For any queries, please contact our customer care number on 1850 300 604.

— Luas (@Luas) January 3, 2019

On Twitter, Luas have asked customers to call 1850 300 604 if they require any information or have queries.

They ask for passengers not to click onto the Luas website, and they are working to resolve the issue.

It's never a quiet moment on the Internet.

Ariana Grande has responded to her horrifying Instagram hack ordeal

Aug 5, 2017

by Staff Writer

Last night, Ariana Grande‘s Instagram account was hacked by a currently unknown perpetrator.

Her account was then spammed with images and content of a racist nature.

A number of posts included racist language, with one reading: 'f***** ass n****.'

WTF MY BBY IS HACKED @ArianaGrande pic.twitter.com/NXwLrdleYA

— Ariana Grande (@ssslia_grande) August 4, 2017

Another read ‘GANG B**** F*** WIT US GET SHMOKEEDDD.’

Nicki Minaj replied to this particular post with a curious emoji, to which the hackers replied: ‘f*** u talking bout u next’.

The hackers insinuated that Nicki would be next in line to get hacked by the perpetrators.

A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on Aug 4, 2017 at 7:57am PDT

The posts also included images of other Instagram accounts, with requests that Ariana's 111 million followers go and follow the linked accounts.

Ariana’s account has since been restored to its former glory, and the hacker's images have been removed.

Fans we're going crazy on social media, wondering what on earth was happening with the star's social media.

A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on Aug 3, 2017 at 8:16am PDT

Ariana responded to the debacle with a GIF on her Instagram page, showing that she isn't taking the hack too seriously.

'Y'all when i got hacked this am,' she captioned the snap.

Hacker threatens to release new season of Orange Is The New Black

Apr 29, 2017

by Staff Writer

We're all dying for the new season of OITNB to come to Netflix, but we don't want to watch it by any ill-gotten means.

According to reports, the newest season of Orange is the New Black has been hijacked by a hacker who is blackmailing Netflix for ransom.

@OITNB @netflix Please stop that hacker asap before the whole entire season gets leaked

— marissa (@tschill32) April 29, 2017

The hacker, who goes by the name The Dark Overlord, claims to have stolen the upcoming season, and is asking for an unspecified ransom to not release the entire fifth series online.

The hacker has already uploaded the first episode to an illegal file-sharing service, according to the Associated Press.

Season 5 consists of 13 episodes and was set to be released on June 9 this year

‘I love how everyone’s freaking out’ Demi on her nude photo leak

Celebrity

Mar 22, 2017

by Amber Saunders

Today, Demi Lovato became the latest celeb to suffer from a security breach.

The singer was targeted by hackers who stole a risqué photo of her and shared it on various porn sites around the web.

However, the 24-year-old has spoken out on Twitter, and she seems to be laughing off the whole scandal.

I love how everyone's freaking out about one picture. It's not nude and it's just cleavage

— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) March 22, 2017

Taking to Twitter, Demi said: "I love how everyone's freaking out about one picture. It's not nude and it's just cleavage."

She followed that with another tweet: "Besides the world has seen me nude BY CHOICE before… #vanityfair #cleavagegameonpoint #myboobsarenteventhatbig #angles."

Besides the world has seen me nude BY CHOICE before.. #vanityfair #nicetry #cleavagegameonpoint #myboobsarenteventhatbig #angles

— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) March 22, 2017

This isn't the first time the former Disney star has been targeted by hackers. In 2014, naked pictures of her were shared online, as well as ones with her former boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama.

Hacker who leaked Jennifer Lawrence’s nude photos JAILED

Celebrity

Jan 25, 2017

by Staff Writer

Jennifer Lawrence branded the theft of her nude photos a sex crime, and now the perpetrator is facing justice.

Hacker Edward Majerczyk received a nine-month prison term in a plea bargain after illegally accessing celebrity accounts and stealing the nude images of 30 celebs including Jennifer Lawrence.

He was also ordered to pay €5,300 to reimburse one unnamed celebrity for counselling and therapy she sought following the crime.

A photo posted by PEOPLETALK.RU (@peopletalkru) on Jan 25, 2017 at 1:19am PST

According to his plea deal, Majerczyk sent fake emails which looked like they came from the victim's internet service providers seeking usernames and passwords.

He was then able to use these passwords and usernames to access private accounts and information.

Jennifer spoke out at length after the multiple naked and explicit photos of her, along with fellow celebs Kaley Cuoco and Kate Upton, were uploaded to the internet.

A photo posted by was tributesofthewar (@brokenhawthorne) on Jan 24, 2017 at 7:01pm PST

“Just because I’m a public figure, just because I’m an actress, does not mean that I asked for this,” Jennifer previously told Vanity Fair.

“It does not mean that it comes with the territory. It’s my body, and it should be my choice, and the fact that it is not my choice is absolutely disgusting. I can’t believe that we even live in that kind of world.”

"It is a sexual violation. It’s disgusting."

Man who leaked celebs nude pics sentenced to 18 months in PRISON

Oct 28, 2016

by Amber Saunders

A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to a year and a half in prison for hacking into computers of the rich and famous.

Ryan Collins hacked into several female celebrities Google and Apple accounts from 2012 to 2014 which included nude photos and videos of the stars.

However, prosecutors believe that while Ryan did hack and obtain the images, it wasn't him who leaked them on the Internet.

The Pennsylvanian pleaded guilty back in May to one count of gaining unauthorised access to a protected computer to obtain information.

Prosecutors say that there is no evidence Ryan leaked the images and police are still on the hunt for the person who did.

An Internet hacker fooled Domino’s into delivering him FREE pizza

Apr 7, 2016

by Amber Saunders

We love pizza. In fact, we love it so much we'd go to great lengths to get it. But, not as great as this man.

Paul Price is a cyber-security expert from the UK and when feeling hungry (or hangry, who knows) one day, he used a simple tech trick to fool the pizza company into giving him free food.

He successfully ordered an 'Americano' pizza with extra pineapple and hot dog stuffed crust, a portion of chicken strippers and a tub of chocolate chip cookie ice cream straight to his door without having to pay for it.

Paul managed to fiddle with the Domino's app so it didn't process any card payment at the end of his order.

But after feeling a little guilty, he decided to pay for the meal when it came to his door.

"I told the delivery driver there must have been a mistake with the order as I never entered any card details and wanted to pay with cash," Paul admitted on his blog.

"He happily left with £26 and my conscience was clean."

Ian Somerhalder confesses love to ex… BUT it’s not what you think

Sep 16, 2015

by Amber Saunders

It might be time for Ian Somerhalder to change his Twitter password.

The Vampire Diaries actor's Twitter account was hacked yesterday and the hacker embarrassingly confessed Ian's love for former flame Nina Dobrev.

Awkward! We're not sure Ian's new wife, Nikki would be too happy about that.

The man (or woman) tweeted for about 20 minutes before writing, "I am so sorry," and deleting the tweets.

When the hacker first revealed that he seized the account, he or she asked followers, "who even is ian somerhalder."

The illegal computer operator then went on to praise the US TV show, Mr. Robot – which coincidentally (or not) is about a hacker.

The person in question then asked Ian's fans to get them get in contact with the TV star.

They later idenified themself as @clou9nin3, but it was deactivated earlier today.

Here's a quick look at the tweets:

He or she also spoke to other followers throughout their time on Ian's Twitter.

J-Law’s reps confirm leaked nude photos are real

Celebrity

Sep 1, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Jennifer Lawrence was trending on Twitter last night after nude photos of her were leaked online, along with 100 other celebrities.

A hacker obtained old cell phone photographs of different stars through iCloud and published them online. He/she also said they were accepting Paypal donations for a video which apparently showed J-Law carryring out a sex act.

While other stars who were targeted have denied the authenticity of the photos (Disney star Victoria Justice tweeted: “These so called nudes of me are FAKE people. Let me nip this in the bud right now. *pun intended*”), Jennifer’s representatives have confirmed that the photos are real:

“This is a flagrant violation of privacy. The authorities have been contacted and will prosecute anyone who posts the stolen photos of Jennifer Lawrence.”

Other celebrities who were victims of the hacking include Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Cat Deeley, Kim Kardashian, Michelle Keegan, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Kelly Brook and Final Desitnation actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

Winstead took to Twitter to comment on the leaked photos:

Actor Seth Rogen also showed his distaste for the hacker in a couple of tweets:

Whoever is behind the act of invasion must have A LOT of time on their hands, as they targeted so many celebrities. Check out the list of victims:

We can only imagine how awful these women must feel knowing private photos are circulating the web – we hope they get whoever is to blame. Though, we're glad Anna Kendrick got the opportunity to post this fantastic reply to her brothers text!