'Saturday Night Live' Web site defaced in apparent hacking
Site's content replaced with Guy Fawkes nursery rhyme as well as an indication that "user info" and "passwords" had been exposed.
Hackers appear to have infiltrated and defaced several NBC Web sites, including the page for "Saturday Night Live."
The page's usual content was replaced with a message that the site had been hacked by "pyknik" and scrolling text with the nursery rhyme "Remember, Remember The Fifth of November Gunpowder and Treason Plot." The message also indicated that "user info" and "passwords" had been exposed, but it was unclear where this information was allegedly taken from.
The nursery rhyme is about a conspiracy to blow up the English Parliament in 1605. The best known member of that plot was Guy Fawkes, who was immortalized by the use of a stylized mask in the movie "V For Vendetta," as well as in the commemoration of that conspiracy on November 5, also known as Guy Fawkes Day. Hackers have adopted the mask as a symbol of their activity.
CNET has contacted NBC for comment and will update this report when we learn more.
In addition to the popular TV program's site, NBC's Rotoworld user forums and NBC mobile landing page were also reportedly defaced, although the forums page is currently inaccessible. Many NBC pages appear to have experienced a disruption that left them looking disorganized.