International Meteor Organization taken offline by cyberattack
The nonprofit expects several weeks of partial downtime after an attack damaged its ageing infrastructure.
The International Meteor Organization says a cyberattack has dealt a “critical blow” to its ageing infrastructure, taking much of its website offline.
The nonprofit expects several weeks of partial downtime as it moves to new infrastructure and services. Fireball reporting has been prioritised, with observations directed to an available reporting page. The organisation is also sharing some information through Facebook.
The IMO coordinates and publishes amateur and professional observations of meteor phenomena. Its databases contain reports, photographs and videos, and it publishes the bimonthly WGN journal.
Formally founded in 1988, the organisation has helped establish common standards for reporting meteor observations. The outage has drawn concern from researchers who rely on its services, with Sam Lawler, an associate professor of astronomy at Campion College, describing the site as useful.
The timing, method, scope and motive of the attack have not been disclosed. No group or individual is known to have claimed responsibility or demanded a ransom, and there is no confirmation that data was stolen or permanently lost.
