FBI Issues Statement on Anti-Semitic Hacking of Boulder Websites

  • January 8, 2010

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Boulder Police Department issued the following statement on January 8, 2010:

During the first week of January 2010, several websites were hacked in the Boulder area including two Jewish synagogue websites.  The other sites primarily involved commercial sites and were hacked without any derogatory statements or words being posted.  The victims of these website intrusions have reported no losses nor any additional intrusion or compromise.

The FBI and Boulder Police Department have worked together and stayed in communication with the synagogue leaders and the Anti-Defamation League regarding the defacement of the synagogue websites.  The investigation revealed that while the synagogue sites were defaced with anti-Semitic language, there were no threats to life or property.  Investigators found the origin of these attacks originated abroad.  While the comments and actions were disturbing and unacceptable, there is no reason to believe that person poses a physical threat to the Boulder community. At this time and based on the information gathered to date in the investigation, federal charges are not expected to be pursued.

Amy M. Stein, Community Director of the Boulder Office of the Anti-Defamation League, stated, “The Anti-Defamation League applauds the work of the FBI and the Boulder Police Department in the successful investigation of these crimes. ADL is committed to the safety and security of Boulder’s Jewish community and will continue to speak out against all acts of bigotry targeting anyone.”