[ISN] Inside a hacker's world

From: mea culpa (jerichot_private)
Date: Sun Oct 11 1998 - 14:44:42 PDT

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    Forwarded From: Simon Taplin <stickert_private>
    
    http://cnet.tv.com
    Inside a hacker's world
    by Elissa Palmer
    
    While at one time hacking was seen as an elite skill reserved for the
    technically proficient, these days it's becoming all the more common if
    not mainstream. In the recent attack on the N.Y. Times Web site, a hacker
    group called "Hacking for Girlies" (HFG) posted pornographic images and
    added racial slurs and profanity to the site.
     
    The hack was reportedly a protest against both the imprisonment of hacker
    Kevin Mitnick, and the creation of basic "how to" hack books which
    characterize hacking as almost recreational, a notion which many
    underground hackers resent. To make matters worse, when HFG hacked the
    N.Y. Times Web site, they also condemned several other hack groups, which
    in turn caused those groups to retaliate by hacking other sites to
    denounce HFG.
    
    But it's no coincidence that a major news publication like the N.Y.  Times
    was targeted. In general, most hackers don't like the media, and feel the
    way hackers are portrayed is usually inaccurate and unfair. Even
    AntiOnline (a site about hackers and hacking) creator John Vransevich is
    placed in this category, and is seen as playing to the media. He uses his
    site to chronicle hacking activity, which some in the underground
    community believe simply glorifies the exploits of inexperienced hackers.
    
    Regardless of how he's viewed, Vransevich predicts that the cycle of
    graffiti will only escalate. In a recent editorial, Vransevich attributes
    the hacking "wars" to the lack of respect young hackers have for
    technology, since many are now bypassing the traditional years of learning
    required to hone computer skills by instead using point and click hack
    programs and the basic "how to" hack books. 
    
    Security Analyst Ted Julian suggests that the best tactic for companies
    with Web sites is to take serious security precautions, which include
    conducting a risk assessment, identifying potential vulnerabilities and
    creating a disaster plan in case their site is attacked.
    
    If you're using an Apache server and want some security tips, check out
    our recent CNET Builder.com feature Maximum Apache. Also, for more info on
    the N.Y. Times hack and other recent hacks, check out the CNET News.com
    links. And if you'd like to watch this story on CNET Central this weekend,
    we've listed the airtimes below
    
    
    -o-
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