Porn Hackers Target Art Gallery's Website

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- One of Tulsa's art galleries had its website hacked and what a shock it was when they learned about it from a Tulsa cybercrimes detective.  Someone was putting porn where pictures of art should've been.

Kay Myers, co-owner of the Royce Myers Art Gallery and her manager, Becky, are glad to back about the business of artwork after getting a shocking call from police, telling them pornography had shown up on links of the gallery's website.

"Shock, denial, and oh my goodness, this can't be happening and sure enough, it was," said Kay Myers with Royce Myers Art.

Whenever someone was going to the website to look at art and clicked on the comments section, hundreds of links popped up containing child and adult pornography.  The gallery routinely checks the website, but had never monitored the section where  people can leave a note or question for the artist.

"Honestly, I've heard of things like that, but never thought I would be affected by it.  Never thought it would come into my world. I was shocked and stunned, but at least now I know and have done something about it," said gallery owner Kay Myers.

Tulsa Police traced the links to out of country porn sites and believe the gallery had been set up by the porn industry.

"Anymore, with the internet and the porn industry, nothing shocks me about what they'll do to advertise," said Sgt. Tim Stadler with the Tulsa Police Cyber Crimes Unit.

The gallery immediately took down the comments section and has posted a note of apology on its website. 

Now, they want to warn other businesses that their reputations could be the next one on the line.

"I feel like if it can happen to us, it can happen to anyone.  And I know, really, everyone I know, has a website, so it's something we all need to be made aware of.   This was not a virus.  This was actual pirating," said gallery owner Kay Myers.

Police say any website that allows comments, is vulnerable to this same situation.

Anyone who allows comments or questions on a web site, should set it up so the comments can be read before they're posted.  At very least, comments should be monitored after they're posted.