Documents Not Classified, But Information Considered Sensitive

Information about the Air Force MQ-9 Reaper has been posted on the dark web by a hacker, according to the threat intelligence firm Recorded Future.

CNN reports that, according to the firm, a hacker broke into an Air Force Captain's computer and stole documents including the officer's private list of airmen working on the MQ-9 program, as well as training and maintenance information.

Recorded Future said it has a "high level of confidence" that the hacker was somewhere in South America, but did not offer more specifics. The FBI would neither confirm or deny the investigation.

The hacker tried to sell the information on the dark web, which is a part of the internet that it is difficult to search publicly. The firm confirmed the authenticity of the documents. Researchers working for Recorded Future's Insikt Group contacted the hacker on message boards and forums to discuss sale of the documents. The hacker said they enjoyed watching military drone footage when they were not looking for their next victim.

The hacker also told the researchers that they have stolen military training manuals for explosive devices and tank operations and tactics, and that they had exploited a vulnerability in Netgear routers to gain access to the Captain's computer.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report