Social media platform X became the latest target of a massive cyberattack on March 10, with hacking group Dark Storm claiming responsibility.
According to cybersecurity firm SpyoSecure, Dark Storm’s leader announced the attack on Telegram before the group’s channel was deleted for violating the platform’s terms of service. Screenshots shared on X show the hackers bragging, “We took Twitter offline,” alongside failed connection attempts from users worldwide.
Although X quickly restored functionality, the attack raises questions about the platform’s security vulnerabilities and the broader political and cyber warfare landscape.
Dark Storm is a pro-Palestinian hacking group with ties to Russia that has been active since 2023. It is known for targeting NATO-aligned nations and has launched previous cyber offensives against government and corporate entities.
Despite its political affiliations, Dark Storm’s leader denied any political motivation behind the attack. Social media personality Ed Krassenstein, who has been investigating the incident, said he contacted the hacker directly.
“The reason he gives me for the attack is just a demonstration of our strength, with no political motives,” Krassenstein stated in a post on X.
Elon Musk Confirms Cyberattack, Points to Ukraine
X owner Elon Musk confirmed the cyberattack in a March 10 interview with Fox Business’s Larry Kudlow, saying he had a rough idea of the hackers’ IP origin.
“We’re not sure exactly what happened, but there was a massive cyberattack to try and bring down the X system with IP addresses originating in the Ukraine area,” Musk said.
This statement has added another layer of speculation, as Russia-affiliated hackers have previously been linked to cyber operations in Ukraine and NATO countries. However, no direct evidence has been provided to confirm the exact location or identity of the attackers.
The cyberattack on X comes amid escalating tensions surrounding Tesla and Musk’s political involvement.
Violence has erupted at Tesla facilities across the US as part of the “Take Down Tesla” movement, protesting Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. This controversial effort has been cutting funding to various government programs, which Musk insists are wasteful and unnecessary.
“We’re doing the right thing here,” Musk told Kudlow. “DOGE is cutting spending to initiatives very few taxpayers would agree make sense.”
Meanwhile, Tesla’s stock has taken a significant hit, dropping over 15% to $222 per share in the latest trading session. According to Google Finance, after-hours trading saw it fall another 3% to $215.
Although Tesla has remained at 24% over the past year, it is still well below its all-time high of $480, which reached Dec. 17, 2024.
Dark Storm’s Growing Cyber Threat
This isn’t the first time X has suffered a DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attack. Last August, Musk claimed that hackers targeted the platform before his interview with then-presidential hopeful Donald Trump.
Dark Storm’s latest attack highlights the rising threat of politically connected cybercriminal groups, particularly those targeting high-profile tech leaders and government-aligned platforms.
With geopolitical tensions intensifying, cyberattacks like these are likely to become more frequent, raising critical questions about digital infrastructure security and the potential weaponization of online platforms.
What’s Next?
As X recovers from this latest attack, cybersecurity experts warn that similar assaults could follow, especially if the platform remains at the center of political and economic debates.
- Musk’s response to this incident could set a precedent for how X handles future cyber threats.
- Dark Storm’s next move remains uncertain, but their growing profile suggests they may escalate attacks.
- The political and financial fallout—particularly surrounding Tesla and Musk’s broader initiatives—could further fuel digital hostilities.
With X, Tesla, and Musk himself at the center of controversy, cyber warfare is no longer just a corporate risk, it’s a battleground for global influence.
