Just yesterday, the official website for the popular secure Linux-based operating system, Tails, has been defaced by a self-proclaimed 17 year old hacker.

Tails is the popular Linux-based operating system which is designed to optimize privacy and keep users anonymous while browsing the web. Hacker naming himself, Sum guy, appeared to have gained administrator access and deface the website. The hacker edited the homepage with the following message:

You has been haxoredeszed by sum dumb 17 year old by accident… Sorry about that please forgive me! I accidentally logged myself in as someone important and changed the site, not knowing that what I was changing would save! So sorry about that… I hope you have a backup, Oh and btw I love your OS! Yours sincerely, Sum guy

And before I leave,

Hi ed…

and zoin

The attacker defaced the official https://tails.boum.org/index.en.html. The attacker did not edit any other pages, everything worked fine and the website appeared to remain in good health. It is unsure whether the operating system images were modified or not. Researchers are advising users to not download the Tails operating system for some time while the website undergoes maintenance checking all systems and files.

Tails operating system also know as ‘the amnesiac incognito live system’ is a free software based off of Debian GNU/Linux. Once installed or booted from a USB drive, the system is said to be fully secured. Allowing journalists or just about anyone to work on sensitive documents amongst other projects and prevent any data from being recovered from the system. The system routes all internal traffic through the secure Tor network, meaning all traffic encrypted and gives users optimal privacy.

Tails OS was reported to be used by NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden when talking with journalists as it boosts anonymity and includes a number of tools to protect data along with strong encryption built in.

News on whether or not users are at risk is unsure, we will keep the story updated as it unfolds.