Hackers: Archive: August 2003

'Blaster' Teen Suspect Arrested

UPDATE: The FBI has arrested Minnesota teenager Jeffrey Lee Parson on suspicion he created a destructive variant of the 'Blaster' worm.

Partnership Aims to Accelerate Homeland Security Tech Adoption

Recently launched in Oregon, the Regional Alliances for Infrastructure and Network Security is linking 911 emergency response centers with local public safety stakeholders such as schools, hospitals and office buildings.

OSI Leader Asks Hacker to Stop SCO Attack

SCO Group recovers from a denial of service attack that took out its site for the weekend, after a leader of the Open Source Initiative argues that the attacks don't help the community's cause.

Sobig.F Weekend Attack Thwarted; Feds Hunt Source

Despite claiming a minor victory over a second wave of the fast-spreading worm, experts warn that open ports on infected machines continue to pose a major threat.

'Critical' Security Hole in Real's Helix Server

Workarounds are recommended for the root exploit vulnerability which carries a 'highly critical' rating.

Major Internet Piracy Group Leader Pleads Guilty

A former leader of the infamous Apocalypse Crew Internet piracy group pleads guilty in Virginia district court; faces maximum five year sentence and as much as $250,000 in fines.

New Phase of Sobig.F Set for Fridays

Security experts are warning of a new phase of attack from the Sobig.f worm that continues to bedevil computer networks around the globe.

Sobig 'Carpet Bombs' the Internet

One in Three Companies Lack Disaster Recovery Strategy

A recent survey finds nearly 30% of companies lack formal disaster recovery strategies, and 64% of companies admit to having significant vulnerabilities in their data backup and disaster recovery plans.

Network Security for Mid-Size Businesses

Check Point Software Technologies debuts Check Point Express, a comprehensive VPN/security solution especially designed to meet the unique Internet security needs of mid-sized businesses.

AntiOnline Security Spotlight: Firewalls and Honeypots

This week we spotlight firewalls and honeypots -- tools that savvy network admins use to help build impenetrable defenses.

Microsoft Issues Cumulative Patch for IE

The software giant publishes a cumulative patch that combines all previous Internet Explorer patches and also addresses several newly discovered flaws. Microsoft also issues patches for Microsoft Data Access Components and Microsoft DirectX.

Microsoft Takes Security Steps with Messenger

After a series of embarrassing Windows vulnerabilities, Redmond moves to safeguard its consumer instant messaging clients -- spotlighting one of the chief risks associated with free, public IM.

Warning Goes Out about Blaster Email Hoax

Security analysts are warning IT managers and users about an email hoax that is playing off people's concerns about the Blaster worm.

Bogus E-mail Targets Citibank Customers

The latest variation on the 'phishing' fraud alert scam warned that the recipient's checking account could be suspended. Its muddy language makes it easier to spot.

Microsoft Tries to Keep Patch Available Despite Coming Attack

Techies at Microsoft Corp. have been working double time this week trying to make sure that customers can still get to needed software patches despite the coming of the Blaster worm's Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack.

GNU Project Server Hacked by Intruder

The potential exists for an intruder to have inserted back doors, Trojan horses or other malicious code into free software source code distributions.

One in Three Americans Hit by a Virus or Hacker

A new study shows that one in every three people in the United States has been affected by a virus or hacker within the last two years. But the good news for IT managers is that people feel more secure at work than they do on their home computers.

Feds Want Banks to Warn of ID Theft

Proposed guidelines require financial institutions to inform consumers of incidents of unauthorized access to personal data.

Warning: MSBlaster May be Just the Beginning

Security analysts are warning IT managers that the MSBlaster worm may just be the beginning of malicious code that will take advantage of what some are calling the most widespread Windows flaw in history.

Feared Windows Worm Starts Attack

Exploiting what may be the most widespread Windows vulnerability ever, a new worm is on the loose, setting up a distributed denial-of-service attack against Microsoft Corp. and fulfilling security experts' ominous predictions.

Acxiom Hacked, Customer Information Exposed

Consumer database firm says a hacker was able to download sensitive information about some of the customers of its clients, though the alleged hacker is now in custody and the information recovered.

New WLAN Attacks Identified

WLAN security vendor AirDefense says monitoring at the DefCon convention revealed a new type of Denial-of-Service attack as well as possible firmware bugs that could leave NICs and access points vulnerable.

AntiOnline Security Spotlight: Hacking Culture

We're kicking off our AO coverage by taking a look at one of the most popular AntiOnline tutorials called 'Hacking Culture: Ethics' authored by Ennis, one of AO's intrepid moderators.

Getting Past the Secrecy Surrounding Network Break-ins

Corporate IT managers, security experts and the FBI are teaming up with a novel proposal to notify each other when networks are attacked — without breaching confidentiality.

Software Piracy Shows Small Decline in U.S.

A new study shows that software piracy is on the decline in the United States, but it remains a problem that is dragging on the economy and costing jobs.

People, Planning Key to 'Business Continuity'

It doesn't take a national disaster to bring a business to its knees. Even mundane occurences such as a power outage or server migration can disrupt business continuity. But too many companies are unprepared.

Interest In Intrusion Detection Boosts Security Spending

Increased interest in intrusion detection software is helping to boost corporate spending on security, according to a new report. And Global 2000 companies say their investment plans for security technology remain on target.

Mimail Worm Hits Companies Already on High Alert

As U.S. workers opened their email Monday morning, they unleashed a new mass-mailing worm. Mimail, which temporarily shut down several government agencies last Friday, has raised concerns in an industry already on high alert for a coming large-scale hacker attack.

Spam and Viruses: Unholy Matrimony, Part 1

Make no mistake about it -- spam and viruses are deliberate, malicious assaults on our systems that often work together to penetrate and compromise our networks. Carla Schroder's new series takes a look at server-level and client-side defenses for defeating the two-headed monster.