A pro-ISIS hacker group calling itself the United Cyber Caliphate, has released online a “kill list” comprised of over 8,000 names that includes thousands of regular, everyday American citizens, according to reports.
The list was uncovered by Vocativ, along with chilling instructions:
In a post Vocativ uncovered on the messaging app Telegram that was written in both English and Arabic, the United Cyber Caliphate called on its supporters to “follow” those listed and “kill them strongly to take revenge for Muslims.”
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Most of the names and the accompanying addresses listed appear to belong to people in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Out of 7,848 people identified as being in the U.S. alone, 1,445 were listed as having addresses in California, 643 in Florida, 341 in Washington, 333 in Texas, 331 in Illinois, and 290 in New York.
In May, the Wall Street Journal reported on the increased frequency and length of these kill lists and, while they conclude it is unclear how names are selected, and unclear if it is meant to be acted upon or just meant to instill fear, it must be noted that a lone wolf attacker wouldn’t need such a fine distinction.
The mere fact of the list’s existence is enough to consider it a real threat.
As for the group that posted it, the New York Daily News adds:
A recent report by Flashpoint, an intelligence firm, said the United Cyber Caliphate was formed in April following a merger of several hacking groups but that it is “poorly organized” and not officially recognized by ISIS.
And before you ask, none of the reports offered any way to find out if you are on the list.
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