Not so Messianic: ‘Anonymous’ website vandal nabbed
James Raj Arokiasamy has been charged under the Computer Misuse and Cyber Security Act along with charges for drug offences carried back in 2011
This morning, a man suspected to have defaced several Singapore websites under the guise of “The Messiah” was charged in the Subordinate Courts.
James Raj Arokiasamy was charged under the Computer Misuse and Cyber Security Act for compromising the security of the Ang Mo Kio Town Council website. He has also been linked to the defacement of the personal website of the Sun Ho – wife of Kong Hee, founder pastor of the City Harvest Church; and website of the People’s Action Party Community Foundation. It is believed that he carried out his attacks from Dorchester Apartments in Kuala Lumpur.
Curiously, Arokiasamy is also being charged for drug offences committed back in 2011, and was in fact arrested in Kuala Lumpur on these charges.
Does it mean that this recent spate of website defacements has been brought to a close?
Unfortunately not. For one, there are no indications that Arokiasamy was involved in the many other acts of online vandalism and security compromises following the October 28 attack. These include the hacking into of Ah Boys to Men actor Ridzuan Azman’s Twitter account and the posting of obscene pictures on the Singapore Police Force website.
More importantly, many people believe that the Anonymous Collective is a centrally organized group, and that taking one or a few leaders and prominent members down will weaken the group as a whole. Not so. In fact, the nebulosity of the Anonymous Group means that anyone can be Anonymous. This includes you and us. Google some skills, find a cause, and hack away.
On the other side of the equation, Webmasters now face threats that are more unpredictable than before. The good news is that most so-called “hacking” attempts by far involve mere manipulation of HTML and URL redirection, and do not involve compromise of secure data. Even so, Webmasters need to be alert and be able to rectify and revert their websites rapidly. Allowing public image and confidence take a hit is no less serious than true compromise of data.
Read also: ‘The Messiah’ from ‘Anonymous’ hacks Straits Times, saves Singapore?
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