LulzRaft
Encyclopedia
LulzRaft is the name of a computer hacker
group or individual that gained international attention in 2011 due to a series of high-profile attacks on Canadian websites. Their targets have included the Conservative Party of Canada
and Husky Energy
.
On June 7, 2011, LulzRaft claimed responsibility for a hacking into the Conservative Party of Canada
website and posting a false story about Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
. The hackers posted an alert on the site claiming that Harper had choked on a hash brown
while eating breakfast and was airlifted to Toronto General Hospital
. The story fooled many, including Canadian MP Christopher Alexander
, who spread the story on Twitter
. A spokesman for the Prime Minister soon denied the story.
LulzRaft again targeted the Conservative Party on June 8, taking responsibility for a successful breach of a database containing information about the party's donors. The information accessed by the group including the names of donors as well as their home and e-mail addresses. LulzRaft later stated that the party had "terrible security" and that for the intrusion it used very basic methods. LulzRaft also apparently hacked into the website of Husky Energy
on the same day. They inserted a notice promising free gas to users who used the coupon code "hash-browns", claiming that it was a gesture of goodwill intended to placate conservatives who were offended by their previous attacks.
Though some commentators have speculated that the group is motivated by a dislike of the Conservative party, LulzRaft has stated that they are a non-partisan group with a general dislike of politicians. It is unknown whether the group is linked with LulzSec, although some media reports have included speculation that LulzRaft's attacks were inspired due to the Copycat effect.
Hacker (computer security)
In computer security and everyday language, a hacker is someone who breaks into computers and computer networks. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge...
group or individual that gained international attention in 2011 due to a series of high-profile attacks on Canadian websites. Their targets have included the Conservative Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
and Husky Energy
Husky Energy
Husky Energy Inc. is a large integrated Canadian energy company based in Calgary, Alberta. Husky's foundation is in Western Canada, where it has extensive conventional oil and natural gas assets, significant heavy oil production and a range of midstream and downstream operations, including...
.
On June 7, 2011, LulzRaft claimed responsibility for a hacking into the Conservative Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
website and posting a false story about Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
. The hackers posted an alert on the site claiming that Harper had choked on a hash brown
Hash brown
Hash browns or hashed browns are a simple potato preparation in which potato pieces are pan-fried after being shredded, julienned, diced, or riced. In some cultures, hash browns or hashed browns can refer to any of these preparations, while in others it may refer to one specific preparation. In...
while eating breakfast and was airlifted to Toronto General Hospital
Toronto General Hospital
The Toronto General Hospital , is a part of the University Health Network, and a major teaching hospital in downtown Toronto, Ontario. It is located in the Discovery District, directly north of the Hospital for Sick Children, across Gerrard Street West, and east of Princess Margaret Hospital and...
. The story fooled many, including Canadian MP Christopher Alexander
Christopher Alexander (diplomat)
Christopher "Chris" A. Alexander is the Conservative Party of Canada Member of Parliament for Ajax-Pickering in Ontario.-Background:Alexander earned a B.A. in History and Politics from McGill University in 1989 and an M.A...
, who spread the story on Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
. A spokesman for the Prime Minister soon denied the story.
LulzRaft again targeted the Conservative Party on June 8, taking responsibility for a successful breach of a database containing information about the party's donors. The information accessed by the group including the names of donors as well as their home and e-mail addresses. LulzRaft later stated that the party had "terrible security" and that for the intrusion it used very basic methods. LulzRaft also apparently hacked into the website of Husky Energy
Husky Energy
Husky Energy Inc. is a large integrated Canadian energy company based in Calgary, Alberta. Husky's foundation is in Western Canada, where it has extensive conventional oil and natural gas assets, significant heavy oil production and a range of midstream and downstream operations, including...
on the same day. They inserted a notice promising free gas to users who used the coupon code "hash-browns", claiming that it was a gesture of goodwill intended to placate conservatives who were offended by their previous attacks.
Though some commentators have speculated that the group is motivated by a dislike of the Conservative party, LulzRaft has stated that they are a non-partisan group with a general dislike of politicians. It is unknown whether the group is linked with LulzSec, although some media reports have included speculation that LulzRaft's attacks were inspired due to the Copycat effect.