PARIS: Almost 20,000 websites in France have come under attack from hackers in the aftermath of attacks by gunmen that killed 17 people last week, the defence ministry said Thursday.
Arnaud Coustilliere, head of cyber security for the French military, did not specify who was behind the wave of attacks, but said the culprits were from “structured” groups and “well known group of hackers”.
Coustilliere said the attacks started soon after Sunday’s huge march held in honour of the Paris shooting victims. About 20,000 cyber attacks hit a great variety of sites, ranging from those of pizza restaurants to schools, he said. The attacks either brought down the sites or replaced web pages.
Coustilliere said two cyber attacks involved two regiments of the army, including a school, and that the defence ministry “has decided to boost its security vigilance”.
Hackers target at least 20,000 of French websites
