What did the attackers break into? The attackers broke into Qatar National Agency's website and social media platforms. They managed to close the website down, before publishing fabricated quotes regarding the Emir of Qatar.
How did they break in? The attackers used a VPN to infiltrate the agency's network, and used phishing links to collect passwords from authorized users.
Who was impacted? The fabricated statements further intensified social and political tensions between the state of Qatar and other countries in the region, being a potential catalyst to the beginning of the blockade on the state of Qatar on the 5th of June, 2017.
How was it investigated? The Ministry of Interior in Qatar conducted the investigation that uncovered most of what we know about the attack.
What did the attackers break into? 1.5 GB of data records consisting of the identities and passwords of many of the bank's customers were leaked.
How did they break in? These details were not disclosed by the bank, but it is suspected that poor data protection and a SQL injection led to the attack.
Who was impacted? Due to the folder names used by the attackers when leaking the documents, it seems that the main targets were journalists for satellite broadcaster Al-Jazeera, supposed members of the ruling al-Thani family and government and defense officials.
How was it investigated? The details of the investigations conducted in the bank are unclear as the bank had refrained from publicizing the issue.