Protest Warrior Hacker Caught

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[mnehring]

In January 2005, Jeremy Hammond and the hacker group collectively known as the "Internet Liberation Front" gained illegal access to the ProtestWarrior server. Thousands of customer credit card numbers were then stolen for the purpose of making millions of dollars in donations to various leftwing organizations. In early February, ProtestWarrior discovered the illegal breach and the identity of the criminals responsible.

Using the hacker recruiting ground www.hackthissite.org, Jeremy Hammond put together and led a team of politically motivated "hacktivists" to probe the ProtestWarrior server for months until an exploit was found. When an obscure vulnerability was discovered in the PW server's newsletter subscription code, they managed to upload malicious files that gave them the ability to execute commands on the server.

Upon discovering the hack, we immediately began collecting information on the breach and managed to penetrate Jeremy's inner circle. We then collected evidence that more than 5,000 credit card numbers had been stolen by Jeremy and the "Internet Liberation Front" and that they were planning on doing the following:

*charge hundreds of dollars per stolen credit card number as donations to various left-wing organizations by using an automated donation submission script

*send the entire ProtestWarrior HQ database (complete with usernames, passwords, and operation details) to left-wing groups hostile to ProtestWarrior (including the entire contents of our mail server)

*upload all credit card numbers and other sensitive customer information to hundreds of anarchist and left-wing sites (specifically Indymedia) as a downloadable zip file

*anonymously send press releases and material to thousands of media contacts to boast of the malicious hack and the millions of dollars defrauded, and to publish any and all sensitive information regarding the ProtestWarrior organization

*erase the entire PW server

*launch simultaneous attacks on other conservative sites

Upon discovering their plans, we contacted the FBI and the Secret Service, who immediately began investigating the case. We were able to provide them with a tremendous amount of evidence regarding the breach, the criminals responsible, and their plans to commit massive credit card fraud. We also reported the incident to all credit card companies involved to make sure that ProtestWarrior's customers were protected. With our help, the FBI was able to thwart Jeremy and his army of "hacktivists".

After contacting the FBI, we immediately hired a security consultant and removed all sensitive information from the server. We eventually moved the server to a new box, where we blocked off the system and data files from the web server and changed the online store software to a super- secure system that stores zero sensitive customer information. In addition, we hired an internet security firm to run a series of vigorous vulnerability tests on our server, which our server all passed.

The reason we haven't made this announcement earlier is that our customers were already protected and we didn't want to jeopardize the ongoing FBI investigation of Jeremy and his "hacktivist" army.

The reason we're posting this now is that Jeremy, in a desperate move, is publicly appealing to the internet community regarding his pending FBI investigation. Using his site www.freejeremy. com, he is trying to solicit donations for his defense fund and generate public sympathy while spreading slanderous disinformation regarding ProtestWarrior and the events leading up to the FBI investigation.

We will soon be releasing much more information and details regarding the incident and the ongoing FBI investigation. Rest assured, justice will be served.

-Kfir and Alan www.protestwarrior.com

[Alia]

What will probably happen in this hacking case is that his lawyer will plea bargain down to a single felony for electronic intrusion, maybe getting the government to drop the avalanche of wire fraud charges.

In a non-war time, I'd tend to agree with you. However, this "hacking" toggles the Patriot and Homeland flags. You might be right -- that this is how the judge will rule; But after that the dude may be Federal "material".

[DoctorMichael]

Off Topic: I send a check in to FreeRepublic every quarter.

[Salamander]

You should thank me for *not* making a crack about "Pulp Friction"....;))

woops...never mind....

[Salamander]

LOL!

Good point.

[doug from upland]

Petition signed.

Doug from Upland
Upland, duh

Scumbag hacked a website. He took credit card numbers. What he did was illegal, no matter his policital beliefs. If protestwarrior did this to the RATS in the Underground, they would be going apoplectic. Of course, that is theoretical, since none of those losers have credit or credit cards about which to worry.

[longtermmemmory]

This is just like the burglar who is caught on the property of anothers home with burglary tools but says I did not break in yet.

Based on the PW notice, it seems like this "hacktivist" should be plea barganing not begging for money.

I suspect there is no "threat of prosecution" there is going to be a prosecution. Federal prosecutors just love easy cases.

[longtermmemmory]

IOW he admits he hacked in AND he admits he had illegally obtained credit card numbers without permission of authorized users.

I would be blowing this up very very very large poster sized and placing it in front of the jury.

[Pest]

Bump for later read.

[Bahbah]

Thanks, OXEN. I would have missed this one. I think Jeremy is a great example of dem values...anything, even crime, is okay. The ends justify the means.

[StarCMC]

LMBO!!

[AnnaZ]

...the FBI is threatening to charge him with unauthorized access and credit card fraud totalling to millions of dollars in damages and up to thirty years in federal prison for a crime that hasn't even happened...

...yet.

Freaking moron.

[armymarinemom]

He looks medicated to me. Anti-psychotics give that elfin rounded face, dark sockets look.

True, but yet still has a baby look about him. He doesn't carry a look that gives an air of being able to defend himself. I dont think he will fare well.

[longtermmemmory]

actually since his computer was confiscated the ENTIRE computer information can be obtained via a FOIA request after the case or investigation closes.

Sooner if charges are filed since the content of the computer is part of the criminal discovery.


IF PW files a civil action for the added security expenses the computer content is also discoverable.


All of his private computer activity.

[JarheadFromFlorida]

Wait until Tyrone gets ahold of his young sweet ass in prison.

[Publius6961]

Twenty years minimum, for this criminal and all of his assistants and enablers.

Seems to me that both conspiracy and the RICO statutes also apply.

[rabidralph]

As long as all the "hip" people got the reference, I didn't think the mention was necessary :-)

[BJClinton]

Of course, that is theoretical, since none of those losers have credit or credit cards about which to worry.

*applause*

[Mad Dawgg]

Ben Dover

Deep in the Heart of Texas

"Hey Jeremy, can you say Jail-House-Boy-Toy?"

I know I shouldn't enjoy this but damn that is funny!

[HKMk23]

'll! THAT'S no elf! THAT is a USDA Grade AAA TROLL!

Photoshop contest:
Who can make the best pic of the Ubertroll under the influence of 1.21 gigawatts?

[Publius6961]

This reminds me of The Cukoo's Egg, a book written about hackers in the early timesharing age of the computer.

Trapping and punishing hackers has to be one of the most rewarding feelings in the world today. I hope a book is written about this incident.