In the last week or so a new feature has been added to the ongoing cyberattack on computers running WordPress. When attackers probe a WordPress blog now, they don’t stop at its home page. Instead, they go on to open the computer’s WordPress settings. This screen shot shows the process at work.

The attacker began by opening the web page I maintain for my classes at http://jonathanmorse.net. Following a link from there, he proceeded to the blog and, eleven times in rapid succession, attempted to break in.

So?

So (ostensibly, at least) this search originates from a Florida site called IIR.com. Based in Tallahassee, IIR is the Institute for Intergovernmental Research, a vaguely named organization with a vague mission statement on its website. It does, however, seem to have something to do with police forces.