Hacking becomes a full-time job

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It just seems that way.

True hackers and crackers would love to crack a server, and many try. Just that most servers are hard and require a lot of work. Since most servers are somewhat maintained, there is a timelimit on what the intruder can do. It is quickly to fix too, as you only have one system (although extremely powerful) owned.

Also, the companies usually cover it up quickly so you don't hear it. There are probably many incidents where the company just paid the intruder to stay quiet and go away, and fixed the flaw afterward.

Home users, on the other hand, are MUCH easier. Most attacks are automated. The required work is much smaller, you set up a PC w/ highspeed that attacks a few hundred thousand PCs in a matter of hours with downloaded exploits and you are bound to get a few systems to own. Now, you take your system off the net, and use those owned PC's to initiate attacks on even more PC's with the same attack or a new one that you created. You can even erase your tracks so no one can find you.

Solving it before too much damage is done would be very difficult as you are dealing with multiple attack vectors and many machines that you have no direct control over to inoculate (have to depend on multiple users). Finally, it would be impossible to keep a lid on this and the media will go into a frenzy.

And, the hacking hasn't become "professional," just more serious. Before, the glory was just to get around defenses. It was a challenge, a thrill like playing a very challenging chess game. Now, there are elements in the group that want money, revenge, or just cause massive damage. Even this year, the majority of the damage have been side-effects. No one so far seems to have viruses and worms whose primary goal was to do harm (except DDOS, but they are nothing compared to what is easily possible). I fear this is starting to change.

Posted by: doe_z   Posted on: 10/29/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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