Monday May 31 4:47 PM ET

Hackers Hit More Federal Computers

By TED BRIDIS Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Computer hackers vandalized two more government sites on the Internet on Monday and left a taunting note promising to attack more federal computers because of a related FBI investigation.

Hackers from different organizations defaced a Web page early Monday within the Interior Department and a site run by a federal supercomputer laboratory in Idaho Falls, Idaho, claiming ``it's our turn to hit them where it hurts.''

``These are the perils of open government,'' said Stephanie Hanna, an Interior spokeswoman. ``We try to make as much of the materials of the Interior Department as open and available as possible. The consequence of that is, those who choose to do damaging things can do that.''

Last week, hackers claiming to be from another group defaced the Web site for the U.S. Senate, causing it to be taken offline until the weekend.

The FBI also was forced to take down its own Internet site last week after hackers launched an electronic attack against it. It remained inaccessible Monday, along with the Web site for its National Infrastructure Protection Center, which helps investigate computer crimes.

Messages left at the attacked sites suggest they were vandalized to retaliate against what was said to be the FBI's harassment of specific hacker groups, including the group that boasted of breaking into the White House site last month.

The FBI confirmed it executed four search warrants last week in Texas related to an investigation into allegations of computer intrusion, including one search at the home of a prominent hacker in Houston.

On the Interior's Web page, the hackers left this message: ``Now, it's our turn to hit them where it hurts by going after every computer on the Net with a .gov (suffix).... We'll keep hitting them until they get down on their knees and beg.''

At the site maintained by the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, a note threatened the electronic destruction of the powerful computers that ``serve'' pages on the Internet ``if the FBI doesn't stop.''

``We could have done worse, like destroying completely all servers,'' the note said. ``We can do it if we want, but hackers are waiting for Justice.''

In an online interview, the hacker claiming responsibility for the laboratory attack warned The Associated Press that further FBI investigation would result in more severe damage.

The hacker identified himself only as M1crochip, living in Portugal and part of a group calling themselves F0rpaxe. The interview was arranged through a mutually trusted third party.

``If FBI doesn't do anything and doesn't stop arresting people and making our life miserable, each member of F0rPaxe will discuss an eventual destruction of every single server,'' he said. ``If that happens, everything goes down.''

He added, ``We don't want to proceed that way,'' and called the electronic attacks the ``only resource'' of the hacker community.

The FBI in Washington declined comment Monday.

Earlier this month, a grand jury in northern Virginia indicted Eric Burns, 19, on three counts of computer intrusion. Burns is reportedly known on the Internet as ``Zyklon'' and is believed to be a member of the group that claimed responsibility for the attacks on the White House and Senate sites.

``Zyklon'' was one of a dozen names listed on the hacked version of the White House Web site, which was altered overnight Sunday for a few minutes before government computers automatically detected the intrusion.

Burns was accused of breaking into a computer used by the U.S. Information Agency between August 1998 and January 1999. The grand jury also said Burns broke into two other computers, one owned by LaserNet of Fairfax, Va., and the other by Issue Dynamics Inc. of Washington.

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Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), May 31, 1999

Answers

"On the Interior's Web page, the hackers left this message: ``Now, it's our turn to hit them where it hurts by going after every computer on the Net with a .gov (suffix).... We'll keep hitting them until they get down on their knees and beg.''

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I don't care who they are or what their motives are.

I would never engage in any criminal act whatsoever. I would never aid people doing such things.

I am only on the sidelines....watching.

The Federal government of the US has wildly overstepped every boundary. Constitutional and otherwise. They are no more representative of the freedom and liberty won by the founders than a pig resembles a prima balerina. So I don't see the mayhem that they are causing as being aginst the best interests of the American people. Real Americans, that is. Of course it is against the interest of the staus quo types who have sold their freedom and liberty for a bowl of pottage.

And, unequivocably, I say that if and when they tear the shit out of the federal computers stich by freakin' stitch I will only be dismayed that they did not do it sooner.

-- Paul Milne (fedinfo@halifax.com), May 31, 1999.

Seems to me to be just one more example of some of the dangers we've exposed ourselves to by relying on computers....on topic, I'd say.

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), May 31, 1999.

guys, they are hacking WEB SERVERS....not freakin mainframes. Oh yeah, this will bring them down. uh-huh. God you people are amazing some fucking days. And Milne...you dislike the goverment so damn much, move to some other country where even saying something like that gets you shot or thrown in jail. This country is far from being perfect, but it is a site better than most.

Real American my backside.

-- *rolling eyes* (you@amazeme.com), May 31, 1999.

Part of the Y2K concerns that the government has expressed under the general topic of "Critical Infrastructure" (many places including FEMA) is... cyberterrorism.

This is "on topic" IMHO. Sad too.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 31, 1999.

Paul - while I understand your feelings (oh boy, no kidding!) we haven't seen these kids get past any major firewalls so far - in fact the attack that took down the fbi site was an old fashioned denial of service sort of thing. Now if they take down more than just a website, *that* might of interest, but in the meantime, methinks they may not be quite all that they claim.

Diane - yeah no kidding, and one wonders just how many circuit court judges are computer literate enough to be able to determine if the FBI actually have enough info to legally justify a search warrant or not....

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), June 01, 1999.

This forum (seriously folks) is undermined by radical agenda types. Freedom of speech is one thing, especially when you can make a difference when so many people are at odds with Y2K due to disinformation or lack thereof. Old Git made a statement earlier last week that reflected an ideal environment for "this forum". Personally, I could care a less about your political views or how you see the govt. ability for change. The way The Govt. carrys itself is in a deeply embedded groove. Protocol is protocol is......it's not going to change to suit anyone in particular. Give it up and let's get on the same page that Old Git was referring to; one of tact and reverence to Ed Yourdon. More specifically, one that informs and saves lives. Ego and Idealists have nothing to do with it since we are all unique and have specific needs and ideals. Food/recipes/canning/ storage, Water/purification/attainment/storage, Shelter/heating/ retrofitting/securing, Money, Neighborhood watches/awareness/community ........etc. .........Radicals are what Mr. Decker, Norm, Y2kpro etc. are countering because there is a need for middle ground. Fulfilling the middle ground is a start. Going from there is another phase to build upon. Those of you who are radicals, please give it up for everyones sake so this forum can grow with the right intentions.

Sincerly, Feller

-- Feller (feller@wanna.help), June 01, 1999.

"one of tact and reverence to Ed Yourdon"

Really Feller? I think I'll save my reverence for my higher power, and my family, thank you.

-- R. Wright (blaklodg@hotmail.com), June 01, 1999.

Feller,

VERY well said

-- *rolling eyes* (you@amazeme.com), June 01, 1999.

R. Wright

"one of tact and reverence to Ed Yourdon" = one of tact for all involved within the forum, a theme I will let you talk to Old Git about (if that's all right with her) . Reverence to Ed Yourdon since he is the one who started the forum and gave us this opportunity (in his name) to carry on where he left off. This reverence part does not reflect any religious intent, just respect. I'm not one to take too much for granted, even freedom of speech. I say what I have to say, but given so, try not to abuse the freedom with some attached ego to the exchange, just because I have the freedom to expect more and personify that. Radicals are just that; On the communicative plane,leave to those who like to dig deep holes.On the physical plane, there is alot of good advice in here you can materialize).

Sincerly, Feller

-- Feller (feller@wanna.help), June 01, 1999.

When Clinton linked the potential for cyberterrorism with the utilities, in a speech he made the day after this year's State of the Union, I assume he had a reason to believe it was possible. It is one of the reasons I am preparing.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), June 01, 1999.

Ditto rolling eyes,

well said Feller. My humble apologies! Good day.

-- R. Wright (blaklodg@hotmail.com), June 01, 1999.