computer terrorism in the post 9/11 world

The World's No.1 Science & Technology News Service� � Devastating attacks on the net "imminent", says report � 14:27�� 25� October �01 Duncan Graham-Rowe � A new wave of devastating internet attacks is just waiting to happen, says a report by a US internet watchdog. What is more, there is there is currently little chance of preventing it. The threat is a variation of the "denial of service" (DoS) attack, commonly used by malicious hackers to block a website by bombarding it with spurious requests. However, the new threat would target routers, key hubs of the internet's infrastructure, instead of individual websites. "We believe this to be an imminent and real threat with a potentially high impact," says the new report, Trends in Denial of Service Attack Technology, published by the Computer Emergency Response Team, at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

http://www.nanog.org/mtg-0110/cert.html Kevin Houle's talk at NANOG on Monday.

Thursday November 8 8:02 AM ET U.S. Prepares for Cyberwar -- the War Next Time By Jim Wolf WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Even as it fights in Afghanistan (news - web sites) with bombs and guns and allies on horseback, the U.S. military is gearing up to use computers and code as potentially decisive weapons in the next phases of its campaign. The goal would be to disable air defense systems, scramble enemy logistics and perhaps infect software through tactics being honed by a joint task force set up in 1999 under the Colorado Springs, Colorado-based U.S. Space Command. The U.S. military has been working on tools that could wreak electronic havoc on countries accused of harboring terrorists as well as on ways of defending global networks against cyberattack. More details: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011108/wr/tech_cybersecurity_infowar_dc_1.html

November 23, 2001 Cyberspace Seen as Potential Battleground By JOHN SCHWARTZ [G] overnment officials are warning that cyberattacks are likely as retribution for the United States campaign in Afghanistan, and at the same time, computer security experts are seeing increasingly numerous and more powerful attacks from traditional hackers. So far, most technologically proficient attackers are hackers or insiders with no terrorist intent, while the terrorists are not yet very proficient, Frank J. Cilluffo, an expert on terrorism at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said during Congressional testimony in October. But, calling cybersecurity the "gaping hole" in the nation's infrastructure defense plans, he said, "It is only a matter of time before the convergence of bad guys and good stuff occurs." "While bin Laden may have his finger on the trigger," he added, "his grandson might have his finger on the mouse." More at: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/23/technology/23CYBE.html

"US shuts down Somalia internet" "Somalia's only internet company and a key telecoms business have been forced to close because the United States suspects them of terrorist links." ... "Both companies have stated categorically they they are not linked to terrorists." Along with denying all internet access to Somalis, the closures have severely restricted international telephone lines and shut down vitally needed money transfer facilities. Correspondents say the closure of the companies will have a devastating effect on the country, which desperately needs the services they provide." "The BBC's Hassan Barise in Mogadishu said more than 80% of Somalis depend on money they receive from relatives outside the country. "He said all internet cafes have now shut down and international phone lines run by two other companies are failing to cope with the extra pressure of calls. He also pointed out that the United Nations, local and international aid agencies, as well as the government itself all relied heavily on internet access, now denied." "I would say it is very depressing and if I could find any stronger word than that I would say it," he said." ... "Reports say the Somali Internet Company was forced to close when it realised that its international gateway had been cut off."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1436-2001Nov22.html " At least one antivirus software company, McAfee Corp., contacted the FBI on Wednesday to ensure its software wouldn't inadvertently detect the bureau's snooping software and alert a criminal suspect. "

SENATE CONSIDERS A COMPUTER ARMY FOR CRISES By JOSEPH GALLIVAN September 28, 2001 -- Techies to the rescue! Local computer buffs are saying the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks showed how desperately unprepared the city was from an information technology standpoint - and Washington is set to do something about it. "This country needs the equivalent of a National Guard for IT professionals," said Silicon Alley honcho Andrew Rasiej, founder of the charity MOUSE, which helps wire public schools. While land and cell phones were overloaded, New Yorkers wandered the city with pictures of missing relatives "like Kosovans," said Rasiej, who found there was no easy way to use his tech skills when disaster struck. .... Rasiej's idea has raised the interest of Ron Wyden, the Oregonian who chairs the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space. He has written to tech leaders such as Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, Carly Fiorina, Lou Gerstner, Andy Grove and Steve Case, inviting them to Washington next week for hearings on what could turn into the National Emergency Technology Guard. " continued at http://www.nypost.com/business/33118.htm

http://www.hackbusters.net/LaBrea.html http://www.hackbusters.net/LaBrea/LaBrea.txt "LaBrea is a small Linux-based application that puts unused IP addresses on your network to use, creating a "tarpit" which can stop or slow down scans of your address space. This paper details the technical aspects of how LaBrea works as well as the tactical advantages of deploying LaBrea on your network."

Sudan Bank Hacked, Bin Laden Info Found By Ned Stafford, Newsbytes MUNICH, GERMANY, 27 Sep 2001, 2:46 PM CST A group of U.K.-based hackers has cracked computers at the AlShamal Islamic Bank in Sudan and collected data on the accounts of the Al Qaeda terrorist organization and its leader Osama bin Laden, Kim Schmitz, a flamboyant German hacker/businessman, has claimed. Schmitz, who has offered a $10 million reward for the capture of bin Laden, told Newsbytes that the information has been turned over to the FBI. Bin Laden, a millionaire Saudi exile whose base is now Afghanistan, is suspected of being the driving force behind the deadly Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon with hijacked planes. .... The bank Schmitz claimed was hacked was mentioned Wednesday by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich. during a Senate Banking Committee hearing. According to CNN, Levin referred to a 1996 State Department report that said bin Laden had provided the AlShamal Islamic Bank with $50 million in start-up capital. .... Last week, Schmitz, who lives in Munich, posted letters on his Web site rallying politicians to the cause of fighting terrorism and offering his hacking expertise. "I received plenty of e-mails from hackers around the world offering their services," he said. Schmitz founded a group that numbers around 23 hackers called "Young Intelligent Hackers Against Terror." He calls the group YIHAT, which is similar to the word Jihad, which is Arabic for Holy War. Schmitz said that last Friday, a Sudanese banker sent the group an e-mail after reading about the $10 million reward, informing the group that Al Qaeda and bin Laden have accounts at AlShamal Islamic Bank. " continued http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/170588.html

yeah, the cybernerds are being called to action (no offense, i consider myself a nerd)