Archive for June, 2010
10 Convicted Computer Criminals
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Wherever there’s a computer, there’s a way to hack. Computer criminals have jumped through virtual loopholes to steal identities and authorized government information, as well as infect computers and expose personal information. Although some computer criminals hack for experimental or learning purposes, most do it for personal wealth and gain. Either way, computer criminals teach us a great deal about computer security and keep us on our toes. Here are 10 convicted computer criminals:
- Robert Tappan Morris
Robert Tappan Morris was convicted of intentionally accessing Federal interest computers without authorization, therefore, preventing authorized access that caused $1,000 in losses. He did so by creating the first worm, a computer virus, which was released on the Internet and drastically slowed down computers and crippled the Internet. Morris was fined, placed on probation for three years and had to complete 400 community service hours. This case was the first prosecution under the United States Code: Title 18, 1030, which involves fraud and related activity in connection with computers.
- Jeanson James Ancheta
Jeanson James Ancheta, a member of the infamous “botmaster underground” group, was arrested for selling armies of infected computers to hackers, with the intention of sending large quantities of spam across the Internet, causing damage to protected computers, causing damage to computers used by the federal government in national defense and hacking protected computers without authorization to commit fraud and money laundering. Ancheta was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison and required to pay $15,000 in restitution for the damages he caused to national defense networks.
- Kevin David Mitnick
Mitnick was convicted of phone fraud, computer fraud and hacking into networks to steal computer software. Mitnick was most well known for his cell phone hacking spree, specifically the hacking of Digital Equipment Corporation’s network to steal their software, in addition to hacking major cell phone companies, Nokia and Motorola. He was considered one of the most wanted computer hackers in the U.S., but his arrest came after he cracked into fellow hacker Tsutomu Shimomura’s computer and was discovered by the FBI in 1995. He was sentenced to five years in prison.
- Gary McKinnon
Gary McKinnon, a British hacker, was convicted of breaking into U.S. military computers, in an attempt to find hidden alien technology that he thought would be the key to solving the global energy crisis. While hacking, McKinnon admitted to deleting files, hard drives and other materials that cost the government $700,000 to fix. McKinnon suffers from Asperger’s syndrome, which his attorneys have used in his defense, while the U.S. government argues his hack jobs were intended to breach American defense systems.
- Kevin Poulsen
Kevin Poulsen, also known as the “Dark Dante,” was convicted of wire fraud and money laundering. Considered one of the smartest and sneakiest hackers, Poulsen managed to break-in to the FBI’s database, as well as hacked the phone lines to Los Angeles radio station KIIS, making him the 102nd caller and winner of a Porsche and a Hawaii trip. Poulsen was sentenced to five years in prison.
- Gerald Wondra
Gerald Wondra was one the six men involved in a 1983 computer hacking case, called The 414s, in which hackers broke into a number of secured computer systems at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Security Pacific Bank. Wondra was placed on probation for two years.
- Raphael Gray
The Wales teenager, Raphael Gray, was arrested for hacking the databases of e-commerce sites to steal credit card numbers and personal information of 26,000 American, British and credit card holders. Gray, who was also known as the “Curador,” admitted to downloading the credit card numbers, but claimed he didn’t do it for personal gain and was instead trying to help the e-commerce sites. Gray’s penalty was three years of psychiatric treatment.
- Cameron Lacroix
Cameron Lacroix was convicted of illegally accessing celebrity Paris Hilton’s cell phone account, and hacking into consumer data giant LexisNexis Inc., which made the personal records of more than 300,000 consumers public. Because Lacroix was a juvenile when the crime occurred, he had to spend 11 months in a juvenile detention facility, and was not allowed to use or own a cell phone, computer or any electronic device that has access to the Internet.
- Jeffrey Lee Parson
Jeffrey Lee Parson was convicted of intentionally causing and attempting to cause damage to a protected computer with his version of the Blaster worm, called Blaster.B worm. He released the worm from his house, and it spread to computers using the Microsoft operating systems. Parson’s house was searched by federal agents on suspicion of writing and releasing malicious computer programs. He was arrested at 18 years old and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, as well as community service hours and restitution.
- Adrian Lamo
Adrian Lamo, also known as “the homeless hacker,” would sleep in abandoned buildings and hack computers at Internet cafes and public libraries. He was arrested for breaking into the databases of high-profile organizations, such as Microsoft, Yahoo and the New York Times. Lamo was placed on probation for two years.
Delicious 
Digg This 
Facebook 
Reddit 
Stumble This
Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments »
10 Best Fake Twitter Accounts
Monday, June 7th, 2010
Fake Twitter accounts started rolling out almost as soon the company began to pick up steam in 2007. Some are meant to be taken as broad jokes, like those from a fictional character, while others are designed to be more satirical, such as the ones tweeting as major corporations or public figures. However they’re played, they make for some of the funniest and most entertaining reading on the site. Here are ten of the best:
1. Drunk Hulk
Because why not? With the Caps Lock key jammed down and a penchant for pop culture commentary, Drunk Hulk mixes the clipped shouts of the Incredible Hulk with often absurd but frequently hilarious opinions.
WAKE IN MORNING! STEP OUTSIDE! DRUNK HULK TAKE DEEP BREATH! GET REAL HIGH! DRUNK HULK SCREAM FROM TOP OF LUNG! WHAT GO ON!
DRUNK HULK
DRUNKHULK
2. Fake AP Stylebook
Poking a hole in the stodgy ramblings of the real AP Stylebook, this fake version offers joke advice for journalists and writers.
The four seasons are Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall. For California publications, change to Mudslide, Hillfire, Flood and Earthquake.
Fake AP Stylebook
FakeAPStylebook
3. Nick_Nolte
Like the best fake celebrity Twitter accounts (including the others on this list), the fake Nick Nolte gets its laughs by creating an insane persona based on Nolte’s film work and personal troubles. Imagine him reciting them in the voice of his character in Tropic Thunder for maximum Nolte-ness.
Aw hell. Typical Monday, wakin’ up with a message carved into your forehead.
Nick Nolte’s Mugshot
Nick_Nolte
4. Fake Michael Bay
The phony version of Michael Bay is a hilariously puffed-up nutjob with a penchant for special effects and expensive toys. (Which, well, seems like it could be accurate.) Get a load for yourself:
The oil spill is making me cancel my bi-monthly Louisiana alligator wrestling trip. BP must be held accountable.
fake michael_bay
michael_bay
5. Abe Vigoda
The gag here is that every tweet ends with a stubborn declaration that Vigoda is, indeed, alive.
Like Transformers, I am more than meets the eye. And I’m alive.
Abe Vigoda
abevigoda
6. Dr. Tobias Funke
The short-lived “Arrested Development” may be gone, but thanks to Twitter, Tobias Funke’s neuroses live on. Long live the never-nudes.
wondering if I can wear my new jean shorts over my jean shorts.
Dr. Tobias Funke
drtobiasfunke
7. Darth Vader
Because even a dark lord of the Sith needs to blow off some steam online.
I’m in such a good mood I may only kill 6 Sand People instead of my customary dozen. #HappyMothersDay
Darth Vader
darthvader
8. Fake Paramount
A spoof of Paramount Films, this account mercilessly lampoons Hollywood culture and bloated gimmicks.
I wish people would spend less time thinking about that tiny oil spill & spend more time paying money to go see Iron Man 2 & Shrek 3-D.
Fake Paramount
ParamountFilms
9. Fake Rahm Emanuel
Playing off the legendary harsh language of the president’s chief of staff, Fake Rahm is a fantastic mix of shock humor and general jerkiness. It’s awesome.
I think it’s great that Tiger is taking time off from golf to concentrate fully on contracting STDs.
fakerahmemanuel
fakerahmemanuel
10. AC180
Making a joke out of “Anderson Cooper 360,” this fake Twitter account tracks the inner thoughts of the CNN anchor.
Paid Blitzer’s maid $100 to stitch someone else’s name into the back of all his underwear. That should confuse him for a while.
Fake Anderson Cooper
AC180
Delicious Digg This Facebook Reddit Stumble This
Posted in Uncategorized | 18 Comments »
20 Dumbest Tech Support Questions
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
Ah, the joys of dealing with tech support. Ever since computers became an integral part of the modern work place, we’ve all gotten used to dealing with digital frustrations that lead to the inevitable call for help from someone smarter and usually younger. However, most of these complaints are legit tech issues that need assistance from somebody with special skills, so there’s no shame in the call. There are, though, some people whose lack of common sense is so pervasive that their IT calls are just plain ludicrous. Here, with research from groups including Robert Half Technology, are the 20 dumbest tech support questions and calls ever made. They are all, distressingly, true:
1. “Why isn’t my wireless mouse connected to the computer?”
2. “How do I read my e-mail?”
3. “Can you reset the Internet for me?”
4. “My computer is telling me to press any key to continue. Where is the ‘any’ key?”
5. “Is it possible to block all e-mail messages from my manager?”
6. “How do I get my computer’s coffee cup holder to come out again?”
7. “Can you install cable TV on my PC?”
8. “Can you fix my typewriter?”
9. “A server went down, and I found a lizard had crawled into it and it died.”
10. “Can I open the bank safe using my computer?”
11. “There are animal crackers in my CD-ROM drive.”
12. “Can you rearrange the keyboard alphabetically?”
13. “Can you build me a robot?”
14. “My laptop was run over by a truck. What should I do?”
15. “Can I open a document with Microsoft Word before I install Microsoft Office?”
16. “Where can I get software to track UFOs?”
17. “A skunk at my cable.”
18. “I’d like to stop receiving e-mail on Fridays.”
19. “Can you order joysticks so that we can play videogames?”
And perhaps the dumbest question of all, earning bonus points for sheer randomness:
20. “Where can I locate dry ice?”
Delicious Digg This Facebook Reddit Stumble This
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
- 10 Classic TV Robots
- 10 “Futurama” Inventions That Should Be Real
- 10 Indicators That it’s Time to Buy a New Car
- 10 Free Tutorials for Computer Science Students
- 10 Best Online Gaming Sites
- 10 Famous Computer Science Grads
- 10 Convicted Computer Criminals
- 10 Best Fake Twitter Accounts
- 20 Dumbest Tech Support Questions
- 15 Sci-Fi Predictions That Came True
- 10 Tech Milestones That Changed The World
- Top 20 Tech Blogs
- Steve Jobs Hating Again on Us c# Developers
- 35 Cool and Wild PC Case Mods
- 20 Blogs about Nostradamus, the Mayans, and 2012
