Hackers claim responsibility for attacks on World Cup affiliated websites

Several World Cup affiliated sites have been hacked using a DDoS attack. (RIch Schultz/Getty Images)

Several websites affiliated with the World Cup have been knocked offline by hackers claiming to be a part of "hacktivist" group Anonymous, according to a Reuters report.

The group claims the web presence of Brazil's intelligence agency, in addition to official sponsor Hyundai and the state of Mato Grasso, one of the tournaments host sites, were all made unavailable by a Distributed Denial of Service attack, which floods a page with large amounts of traffic causing it to shut down.

A member claiming to represent the group released a statement saying that more attacks could be expected throughout the tournament.

"We had a busy last few days and there is more still to come."

"Companies and institutions that work with a government that denies the basic rights of its people in order to promote a private, exclusive and corrupt sports event will be targeted,"

Brazilian intelligence agency AIBN has said that it intentionally took its website offline for routine maintenance, not because of an attack, and Hyundai also denied the collective's claim to have caused their website's crash.

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