Hackers Run Wild and Free on AOL

Wired News ^ | February 21, 2003 | Christopher Null

[Dont Mention the War]

Using a combination of trade tricks and clever programming, hackers have thoroughly compromised security at America Online, potentially exposing the personal information of AOL's 35 million users.

The most recent exploit, launched last week, gave a hacker full access to Merlin, AOL's latest customer database application. As a security measure, Merlin runs only on AOL's internal network, but savvy hackers have found a way to break in.

[blondee123]

Serves em right for using aohell.

My thoughts exactly, what does one using aohell expect??

[dark_lord]

Typically, hackers target reps at offshore call centers in India or Mexico, who they claim are less savvy and have far less training than American service agents.

Oh, but sending work offshore is going to save the companies money, which will be passed on to the consumers! (Please ignore costs pushed outside the company like identity theft, and internal costs like covering the inevitable lawsuits which will drive down the stock price hitting the 401Ks and retirement funds.)

[thisiskubrick]

This article is a victory for Microsoft.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

His mom doesn't let him take phone calls.

You wonder - will he become like the cracker in The Score? (GREAT heist movie, BTW)

[pt17]

(Please ignore costs pushed outside the company like identity theft, and internal costs like covering the inevitable lawsuits which will drive down the stock price hitting the 401Ks and retirement funds.)

Consider broadening your argument beyond call centers where work sent offshore results in the theft of your code and other intellectual property, by hackers and/or those performing the work. In the rush to send work offshore, that old truism, "You get what you pay for." seems to have gotten lost.

[Hacksaw]

Hackers should be boiled in oil, impaled, drawn and quartered, and then given a lethal injection :).

Lock 'em up and throw away the key. Let them make license plates.

[dark_lord]

Yes, theft of code and other IP clearly happens. But remember, the executives that authorize all this are not held accountable. Think about it. When was the last time you ever saw an executive fired? Ever? Sometimes they get downsized with their organization - but fired? Nope.

[pt17]

When was the last time you ever saw an executive fired?

About two months ago. It happens.