**************************************************************************** >C O M P U T E R U N D E R G R O U N D< >D I G E S T< *** Volume 1, Issue #1.09 (May 16, 1990) ** **************************************************************************** MODERATORS: Jim Thomas / Gordon Meyer REPLY TO: TK0JUT2@NIU.bitnet COMPUTER UNDERGROUND DIGEST is an open forum dedicated to sharing information among computerists and to the presentation and debate of diverse views. -------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: The views represented herein do not necessarily represent the views of the moderators. Contributors assume all responsibility for assuring that articles submitted do not violate copyright protections. -------------------------------------------------------------------- In This Issue: File 1: Moderators' Corner (news and notes) File 2: From the Mail Bag (Richard Duffy) File 3: Operation Sun Devil: Press Release File 4: Operation Sun Devil: Secret Service Statement File 5: News Excerpts about Operation Sun Devil File 6: Software Publishers Association Update -------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************** *** Computer Underground Digest Issue #1.09 / File 1 of 6 *** *************************************************************** In this file: -- Operation Sun Devil -- FTP (Clarification) -- Dr. Ripco's Final Words --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Operation Sun Devil ----------- Operation Sun Devil, another phase in the crackdown against the computer underground, was begun May 8 (See this issue, Files 3 and 4). At least 28 search warrants were served, and a number of arrests have resulted, although not all directly related to the May 8 operation. Judging from comments we have received, people are either quite angry about it or highly supportive of it. We will give our own views in File #3, but we urge you to send reasoned opinions on either side. One of the best commentaries of the entire crackdown can be in Emmanuel Goldstein's articles in 2600 MAGAZINE (May 15, 1990). People can contact 2600/M at: 2600@well.sf.ca.us OR 2600 EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT P.O. BOX 99, MIDDLE ISLAND, NY 11953 We will have an expanded article on Sun Devil in CuD #1.10 ------------ FTP SITE ------------ DATE: FRI, 11 MAY 90 06:38 EDT FROM: SUBJECT: FTP SITE (FILE TRANSFER PERSON) TO: TK0JUT2 OK EVERYONE. THE "FTP" SIGHT IS REALLY REFERRING TO A FILE TRANSFER PERSON WHICH IS ME. TO REQUEST A FILE SEND MESSAGE CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: 1. YOUR NETWORK ADDRESS 2. WHAT FILES YOU WANT (GIVE ME AN EXACT IDEA IE. ISSUES 1-12 OF PHRACK) AFTER RECEIVING YOUR REQUEST, I WILL SEND YOU A MESSAGE THAT I HAVE RECEIVED YOUR REQUEST. THIS WILL SERVE TWO PURPOSES, THE FIRST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I RECEIVED YOUR REQUEST AND TO LET ME MAKE SURE THAT THE FILES WILL GET TO YOU. YOU SHOULD RECEIVE THE FILES WITHIN A 48 HOURS TIME PERIOD AND ALL PAST REQUESTS WILL BE SENT THIS WEEKEND. AT THIS TIME I HAVE ALL OF PHRACK (EXCEPT ISSUE 24 AND WE WON'T WANT TO SEND THAT ONE NOW WOUDLD WE), LOD TECH JOURNALS, AND P/HUN. I WILL BE RECEIVING THE REST OF THE ATI AND PIRATE ARTICLES SOON. ALSO IF YOU HAVE A LIST OF FILES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE, INCLUDE THAT LIST WITH YOUR REQUEST. HOPEFULLY THIS METHOD OF FILE TRANSFER WILL ONLY BE FOR A WHILE SINCE I AM IN THE MIDST OF HUNTING DOWN A FTP SITE. DARKMAGE -------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- RIPCO ------------- Ripco was one of the boards that went down on May 8. It was probably the longest running decent board in the country. Judging from our knowledge of the users and the content of the logs, less than 3 percent of the callers claimed to be identified in illegal activity, and of those, we'd guess that at least half were faking it. Given the nature of undercover operations, which include "infiltrating" boards, we also assume some were law enforcement agents. Ripco had a number of message sections, all of which were lively, generally intelligent, and invariably interesting. Raiding Ripco seems to be throwing the baby out with the bath water by intimidating sysops willing to allow provocative discussions. We repeat: THE BULK OF RIPCO'S USERS WERE NOT IN ANY WAY INVOLVED IN *ANY* ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, but now names are in the hands of agents. We have seen from past experience what can happen when they start generating "lists." We can see some aggressive hot-shot prosecutor now, about to seek political office: "I HAVE IN MY HAND A LIST OF 200 SUBVERSIVE HACKER SCUM....!" In our view, this is no long a computer underground issue, but one of First Amendment protections. We reprint Dr. Ripco's final message left to his users: ****************************************************************** This is 528-5020. As you are probably aware, on May 8, the Secret Service conducted a series of raids across the country. Early news reports indicate these raids involved people and computers that could be connected with credit card and long distance toll fraud. Although no arrests or charges were made, Ripco BBS was confiscated on that morning. It's involvement at this time is unknown. Since it is unlikely that the system will ever return, I'd just l say goodbye, and thanks for your support for the last six and a half years. It's been interesting, to say the least. Talk to ya later. %Dr. Ricpo% *** END OF VOICE MESSAGE *** -------------------------------------------------------------------- =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ + END THIS FILE + +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+===+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=  Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253 12yrs+