Attack on epilepsy Web site prompts migraines, near seizures

Someone posted hundreds of flashing images and links to more pulsating images on the Epilepsy Foundation site, triggering severe migraines and near seizures for some visitors recently, the Associated Press reports.

The recent attack was designed to cause seizures given that it is common knowledge that exposure to flickering images, such as those in video games and cartoons, can bring on seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy, the foundation said.

Hackers exploited a security hole in the site's publishing software that allowed them to make numerous posts quickly in the support forum. Since the attack, policies have been changed so that visitors can't post animated images or create direct links to other sites, the report says. The FBI also is investigating the matter.

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