LulzSec hacking Group took responsibility for recent attacks on Sony and Nintendo. However, before they attacked these high-profile technology companies, LulzSec went after less obvious goal: PBS NewsHour website.
The most visible part of the hack has been placing false story about rapper Tupac. Fabricated story stated that iconic hip-hop artist, who was gunned down in 1996, is actually still alive and living in New Zealand.
In addition to publishing a false story about Tupac on the PBS website also defaced NewsWire, LulzSec the second page and released from a small set of PBS are user names and passwords. These hackers to unsophisticated hack tools insecure content management system (CMS) to carry out their work. Defaced pages also include immature mocking the very sophisticated hacker group "Anonymous".
The most common reasons why people hack include: greed, social activity and social acceptability. First LulzSec may seem like an exception to these typical hacking motives. It doesn't seem that LulzSec is getting money from the stolen data, they have not provided the social agenda, and they certainly are not considered acceptable by the society at large. Nevertheless, the idea of "public recognition" should not include all of society. It was said that LulzSec just hacking for infamy and drink it all.
That was a specific reason for the LulzSec gave to PBS? They said it was because they dislike the television story on WikiLeaks hacker/activist Bradley Manning, which was shown on PBS. As a result could suspect that the motive for the attack LulzSec should receive public recognition among other hackers may even creditworthiness in the hacking community.
These attacks might be entertaining for LulzSec, but they have caused headaches for PBS, Sony and Nintendo. We can however, learn something from these attacks. They provide a warning for website owners: even if your friendly website cannot have monetary value, it still faces the likelihood of becoming a victim. Amateur hackers are always looking for new purposes, to help them get their 15 minutes of Fame, and PBS is testament to this.
As hacking groups which take their name in the world "Lulz" is a slang term online to refer to the laughter continues to gain notoriety for their rash web attacks, the world is waiting to see who gets the last laugh.
Alan Wlasuk is managing partner of 403 Web security, full complex of services, secure Web application development company with headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. From web security assessment for Web development and rehabilitation, 403 seasoned developers have provided Web applications from hackers and security breaches. To learn more about 403 Web security or additional vulnerability scanning of your Web site, please visit http://403.wddinc.com/.
