Shepway Council Web Site Closed by Hackers

Shepway Council's web site at www.shepway.gov.uk has been "hacked" - removed from the internet by malicious computer users intent on disrupting the site. Shepway Lib Dem web master, Tim Prater, noticed the problem on Saturday afternoon at 2pm, and alerted the Council.

The site was back in operation by around 9pm, following repairs by Shepway Council's IT department. Tim Prater commented:

"Clearly, there should be a review to find out how the site was hacked and to ensure it can't happen again. Hackers are constantly trying to bring sites down, trying to exploit security holes often found in the software underlying sites. Keeping on top of the fixes that are being released sometimes daily can be very hard. The technical team at Shepway deserve praise for the speed that they dealt with the problem over the weekend.

"With councils, including Shepway, offering an increasing range of services on-line, it important important these are seen to be secure, and available 24/7."