On this fine Monday morning, one of SBS’s Instagram pages, which boasts a cool 102,000 followers, was hacked by someone who likes… vikings (?).
For about two hours, the @sbsnews_au Instagram account was controlled by someone who clearly was not associated with the national broadcaster. Because instead of the usual news about the Tokyo Olympics or the anti-lockdown protests from the weekend, followers of SBS News were treated to a fancam of a viking. I think it was a viking, anyway.
The hacker posted a fancam of what appeared to be the character Ragnar Lodbrok from Vikings, played by Aussie actor Travis Fimmel. So hey, at least things were kept local. Still, I’m as bewildered and amused as most of the people in SBS’ comments.
It’s a proper fancam too, like something straight off Tumblr circa 2011.
Replace the viking with someone from The Vampire Diaries and you have my Tumblr feed in a nutshell.
SBS News has regained control of its Instagram account, by the way, and has wiped evidence of the hack. Prior to that, whoever runs the social media for SBS Australia commented on the fancam: “Hi everyone – we’re aware the SBS News Instagram has been hacked and are working to rectify asap.”
What a Monday thrill.
The person behind the fancam didn’t stop with just a post though, because they also shared the video to the @sbsnews_au Instagram story and told everyone to comment on it. The Instagram account’s profile picture was changed to a hooded person in a mask as well.
That’s a very on brand choice for a hacker picture, if you ask moi.
Why exactly SBS News was targeted remains unclear, but maybe someone out there is just really, really bored in lockdown. Who knows, really.
To me, it’s just another day on the internet.
Happy Monday.
