Security Researcher says Islamic State Hackers are ‘Garbage at Coding’

Their Poor ability severely restricts the risk says Security Researcher

Generally speaking, whenever one hears about Islamic State, it’s often not good. On this occasion, it seems that there is some positive news for us all. A senior researcher, who specializes in internet security has called the terrorist groups online hacking abilities ‘garbage’ with buggy malware and amateurish encryption.

We have seen in recent weeks just how effective ‘good’ hacking skills can be. In the last week alone we are still witnessing the fallout from the malware infected CCleaner version. It is therefore mildly relieving to know that one of the worlds most major terrorist organizations is apparently terrible at it.

In a report via the BBC, Mr Wilhoit, an expert in Security research has said: “ISIS is really, really bad at the development of encryption software and malware,” highlighting that some very basic errors made practically all of their malware “completely useless”.

He added that: “As it stands ISIS are not hugely operationally capable online,” Mr. Wilhoit added. “There’s a lack of expertise in pretty much everything.”

Some concern with their hackers

Addressing the three major flaws in their coding, Mr. Wilhoit highlighted where their hacking attempts have failed:

• Any malware issued is full of fundamental bugs/flaws.
• Their ‘secured e-mail’ leaked information.
• Their web attacking tool failed to take down any target of significance.

Organisations or indeed governments, resorting to hacking isn’t exactly new. It is, however, slightly encouraging to hear that at least IS is terrible at it.

This report does, however, raise a concern to myself. If they are so bad at it, why is this being made known to the public? Surely it would have made far more sense in saying that their security is excellent when the reality is so far removed. We saw only recently with the Wannacry attack just how effective good malware can be. I hope IS doesn’t decide to start actually learning good coding.

I do, in addition, understand the irony and contradiction in me pointing this fact out. Hopefully, their hackers will remain ignorant of this and continue in their garbage coding exploits.

Hopefully, their hackers will remain ignorant of this and continue in their garbage coding exploits.