Intruder Attack on Cisco Computer Net Broad (military, NASA, research)

[DeepModem Mom]

New York Times:
Intruder Attack on Computer Net Is Called Broad
By JOHN MARKOFF
and LOWELL BERGMAN

Published: May 10, 2005


SAN FRANCISCO, May 9 - The incident seemed alarming enough: a breach of a Cisco Systems network in which an intruder seized programming instructions for many of the computers that control the flow of the Internet.

Now federal officials and computer security investigators have acknowledged that the Cisco break-in last year was only part of a more extensive operation - involving a single intruder or a small band, apparently based in Europe - in which thousands of computer systems were similarly penetrated.

Investigators in the United States and Europe say they have spent almost a year pursuing the case involving attacks on computer systems serving the American military, NASA and research laboratories.

The break-ins exploited security holes on those systems that the authorities say have now been plugged, and beyond the Cisco theft, it is not clear how much data was taken or destroyed. Still, the case illustrates the ease with which Internet-connected computers - even those of sophisticated corporate and government networks - can be penetrated and also the difficulty in tracing those responsible....

***

The case remains under investigation. But attention is focused on a 16-year-old in Uppsala, Sweden, who was charged in March with breaking into university computers in his hometown. Investigators in the American break-ins ultimately traced the intrusions back to the Uppsala university network....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/10/technology/10cisco.html?hp&ex=1115697600&en=4dfe5a615a7107aa&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[AuntiBush]

1. Sorry. I just do not trust our Majority Leaders anymore.

When I read stuff like this, I immediately assume it's a lame, blame-game to take attention off who might have "really" done this and "why."

One reason: to exploit our privacy... just my thoughts.

[harpo]

4. I agree with you...maybe some stolen secrets, found election fraud, etc

[Fridays Child]

2. What they should do to that kid is...

...offer him a job.

[harpo]

3. NOT...it would open the flood gates for hacking

[Fridays Child]

9. Maybe (and only maybe) if the offer were publicized.

[Dover]

5. But don't you worry your little heads. Computers ARE safe for voting!

[DeepModem Mom]

6. VERY good point! n/t

[Kralizec]

7. They're going to shut down american's internet and

blame it on the european hackers. cut us all off.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. Why that's just crazy talk.... they have no reason to stop the

free flow of information.... damning though it almost always is... :)

[Moderator]

10. kick

[chlamor]

11. Hacking Trail Leads to Swedish Teen

Hacking trail leads to Swedish teen

Julian Borger in Washington
Wednesday May 11, 2005
The Guardian

A Swedish teenager is being questioned over a daring internet attack that penetrated thousands of computer systems in the US, including military and Nasa websites, the FBI said yesterday.

A search is also under way in Britain and elsewhere in Europe for possible accomplices, a bureau spokesman said yesterday, but gave no further details.

<snip>

The investigation began a year ago when the intruder, codenamed Stakkato, breached security at Cisco Systems, a producer of computer networking equipment, and stole programming instructions for many of the routers and switches that serve as conduits for the internet.

The hacker, or group of hackers, also broke into several US supercomputer laboratories connected through a high-speed network called the TeraGrid, and used stolen passwords to infiltrate websites of military bases and Nasa.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1481133,00.html

[bemildred]

12. Sounds like social engineering mostly.

Also sounds like he covered his tracks well and did no direct
damage. So mainly he exposed how crappy the "security" these
people provide is. Hence, he will be punished.