hackers

Hackers break into Large Hadron Collider computer

Hackers broke into a computer system at CERN's Large Hadron Collider, targeting a system that was "one step away" from a control computer, but otherwise appear to have done no major damage, according to a report on Friday in the British newspaper The Telegraph.

The system that was breached monitors the Compact Muon Solenoid Experiment, which will be analyzing data during subatomic particle collisions in the particle accelerator located along the French-Swiss border. Experiments, which began on Wednesday, are designed to help scientists explore particle physics theories.

During the attack on Tuesday and Wednesday, hackers left behind … Read more

The 404 174: Where we reject labels

Fridays at The 404 are awesome, especially before a holiday weekend and especially when Justin gets his panties in a bundle over the term "hipster." With news like Brett Ratner's dream to make a Guitar Hero movie, the world's greatest hacker releasing an autobiography, and even more heartwarming "Calls from the public," how could you not love Fridays?

So it's official: David Duchovny has officially admitted his powerlessness over his addiction to lovemaking and has checked into rehab. Sounds like his next project with Gillian Anderson could be the SeX-Files. Isn't every … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 798: There is no poop, so leave the diamonds alone

It's a tortured analogy sort of day, including some confusing stuff about water and water bottles and then a whole long thing about a sandbox, poop, and dirty diamonds. You'll love it. In the actual news today, the IE8 beta arrives (has it solved the malicious cross-scripting problem!?), and several judges seem to have actually visited the Internet. And so did Aaron Sorkin! And he liked it! Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 798

IE 8 beta gives other browsers a run for their money http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10027345-83.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7585741.stm… Read more

British man to face hacking charges in U.S.

Gary McKinnon has lost his legal challenge against extradition to the United States to face charges of hacking into NASA and military systems.

McKinnon had applied to the European Court of Human Rights for it to hear an appeal against his extradition. Under Rule 39, citizens can make an emergency application to halt extradition proceedings, if they believe that their human rights will be infringed upon.

McKinnon's legal team on Thursday sent out a statement saying his application had been denied. "Today the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Mr. McKinnon's application for Rule 39 Interim … Read more

Phreaker calls buddies overseas on U.S. government dime

Someone broke into a U.S. Homeland Security Department phone system and made 400 calls to the Middle East and Asia, racking up $12,000 in long-distance charges, The Associated Press reported.

The phone phreaker got into the voice mail system of the Federal Emergency Management Agency last weekend and had free calling to places like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen for at least two days before someone at Sprint noticed, according to FEMA spokesman Tom Olshanski.

It appears that a hole was left open by a contractor during an upgrade of the voice mail system, but further details were … Read more

Daily Debrief: Online attack, retaliation in Russia-Georgia conflict

In Wednesday's edition of the Daily Debrief, CNET security expert Robert Vamosi and I discuss the latest exchange of cyberattacks between warring countries Russia and Georgia. It's been concluded that the initial attacks on the Georgian president's Web site were not the work of another government or sanctioned agency, but rather, amateurs whose country or origin is still unknown. Regardless, the Web site of a Russian newspaper has since come under attack in retaliation, most likely at the hands of the Georgians.

As Vamosi points out, there've been a handful of such attacks over the last … Read more

Defcon ends with researchers muzzled, viruses written

LAS VEGAS -- The Defcon hacker conference ended its 16th year on Sunday, sending about 8,000 attendees home from a weekend of virus writing, discussion of Internet attacks, and general debauchery.

The highlight was most definitely the restraining order which prevented three MIT students from presenting their research on how to hack the Boston subway system. The students attended the event and even gave a news conference after the order came down on Saturday, but did not present their highly anticipated talk.

Instead, journalist and security expert Brenno de Winter took their empty spot and discussed how the cards … Read more

Defcon opens with a bang, contests, and intrigue

Updated Saturday with change in price for "Buzzword Survivor" winners.

LAS VEGAS--At the Defcon hacker conference, which opened on Friday, some of the biggest buzz was in the press room.

Three journalists who allegedly sniffed the network in the press room were ejected from Defcon's sister event, the Black Hat security conference, on Thursday. On Friday, the journalists, with Global Security Magazine in France, asked to hold a news conference at Defcon to tell their side of the story. But when the hour arrived, the men were nowhere to be seen.

A press liaison for Defcon said … Read more

Daily Debrief: Forty million card numbers compromised

It's the latest iteration of white collar crime. And it's expensive, destructive, and a serious nuisance for victims. I'm talking about credit and debit card theft via wireless networks. Recently, a multinational group of 11 was charged with stealing more than 41 million credit and debit card numbers.

The crime plays upon the vulnerability of a retailer's wireless networks. In a technique dubbed "war-driving," criminals cruise by stores, looking for holes in the security system so they can extract all the vital credit and debit card information. Once obtained, the numbers could be reprinted … Read more