Posted on 07/05/2005 8:27:56 AM PDT by 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
My day was going so well. So WHY, WHY, WHY, did you have to post that picture?
His supporters are apparently as stupid as he is if they believe that hacking in and stealing credit card numbers isn't a crime.
Jeremy may soon have a wonderfuly diverse and compelling love life.
LOL!
Frankly, the kid scares the bejeebers outta *me*...;))
"What a fun guy! Maybe he can spread his revolution to the prisons."
Did you mean to type "fungi"?....;)
Kid combs his hair with an eggbeater, apparently....;))
It's just my cruel nature, I reckon....;)
Did Germy have any pithy quotes concerning "the revolution" once "the revolutionary" had been passed among the boys in cellblock C ?
He looks like he fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.
I guess attempted murder shouldn't be prosecuted with this kind of logic.
It also sucks that Protest Warrior had to spend all this money and time tracking down this slimebag, hiring security experts, and retooling its server. That's why I have no sympathy even for the teenage "joy-riding" hackers who just do it for "fun." It isn't fun if you're the one being hacked and if you're the one whose personal information has just gotten spread all over the Internet.
They should also consider the fact the Feds may well be making a 'list' of *who* is supporting/contributing to his "cause", too.
[evil giggle]...;)
This is a feel good story. I sure am glad PW was able to identify and thwart this dirt bag, and pardon me, but I sure hope he is going to be someones jail wife real soon.
He'll be a hot commodity in jail.
"Half a loaf is better than none."
The same can be said of wit....:)
He'll get 9 months or so confinement and be ordered to pay some restitution to ProtestWarrior. The short time in the clink will be to establish felony incarceration in case this fellow does something similar in the future. His parole will be long with terms including a heavy suspended sentence and the occasional FBI 'interview' to see what he's up to. He'll see invisible G-men behind him every time a shadow moves in his darkened room, which is just what the FBI cybercrimes department wants.
I'm no lawyer -- just seen what has happened in similar cases. Guys that think they're 'master hackers', ain't. The Feds can catch you quick as hell.
Let's come back in a couple of months and see what happens to this schmuck.
Works for me.
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