Baltimore faced cyberattacks amid chaos and unrest on the streets

As Baltimore (MD) remained under curfew after riots over Freddie Gray's death, a cyberattack knocked out the city's website while hackers who sympathized with protesters on the streets threatened to target the government's computer systems, according to newly released documents. The behind-the-scenes cyberbattle shut down the website baltimorecity.gov for at least 16 hours, according to a situation report dated May 1. The site, which provides information on government services, updated citizens on the citywide curfew at the time. "Not sure when site will be up and running. Need to set up alternatives," the report stated.

E-mails and other documents give new insights into the attack as well as a campaign that targeted police and city databases and claimed to be affiliated with Anonymous, an international network of activist hackers. The documents also detail efforts to combat the hackers by information technology experts, including city and state officials, a special detachment of National Guard troops, and a Baltimore security company that witnessed activity online and offered its services. Computer security analysts said that activist groups frequently launch hacking campaigns amid civil turmoil -- and that government officials often find themselves ill-equipped to respond. Such attacks can be minor nuisances that knock out websites for short periods or major security breaches that put troves of sensitive data at risk and disrupt access to government services.