The Library's Web site was defaced by computer vandals at about 6 p.m. on Jan. 17, preventing users of THOMAS (thomas.loc.gov) from accessing congressional legislation, as reported by the Associated Press. The computer hackers called themselves "LmT," or Lamers Team, "four hackers from a little country in Europe."
The Library's Information Technology Services (ITS) estimates that the THOMAS home page was publicly available in its defaced state for approximately 1-1/2 hours before access to the system was blocked from the Internet. Library staff became aware that the THOMAS home page had been defaced at approximately 7 p.m., and Internet access to the THOMAS system was blocked at about 7:20 p.m.
The THOMAS main page is the only identified damaged page on the Library's Web site, which is one of the most popular government sites.
"We apologize for any inconvenience that was caused to Library users," said Judith Stork, assistant director of ITS.
The incident has been reported to appropriate authorities. Library staff are in the process of reviewing the Library's network and computer security measures and procedures.
