**************************************************************************** >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 #1.06 (April 27, 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************** *** Computer Underground Digest Issue #1.06 / File 3 of 5 *** *************************************************************** ** STOP HACKING! IT'S NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE. FIND ANOTHER HOBBY! **" (The Mentor) On March 1, the Secret Service and other law enforcement officers in Austin, Texas, raided the home of The Mentor and the offices of Steve Jackson Games searching for evidence related to computer hacking. As of this writing (April 25), there have been no indictments brought against any of the Austin group alleged by federal law enforcement officials to be participants in the Legion of Doom. According to one inside source, "we are just floating in limbo." Another close source indicated that none of the equipment confiscated from The Mentor or Erik Bloodaxe has been returned. Equipment confiscated from Steve Jackson games, producer of fantasy role-playing adventure games, has also not been returned. One source inside SJG indicated that a few files have been returned, but that they had lost all value or utility by the time they were returned. An accurate and balanced NEWSWEEK story ("The Hacker Dragnet," by John Schwartz, April 20, 1990: p. 50) indicated that: Jackson had to push back his deadlines for producing other games, cut back on his plans for new releases and lay off half of his staff. He puts the out-of-pocket losses at $25,000 and owes about $75,000 more. One of those who had over $5,000 worth of equipment removed indicated that he was losing over $1,000 a week in lost income by not being able to work at home. Also confiscated were the graduate papers of his wife (stored on the hard drive) and other files related to education. There are unconfirmed rumors that federal officials have indicated action will be taken within a month, but that this action could range from an indictment to the return of the equipment with an apology. At least two others in the Austin area had their equipment confiscated in raids. A week earlier, one person who was "just in the wrong place at the wrong time" lost over $30,000 worth of computer hardware, and another had his equipment confiscated. As for Knight Lightning's case in Chicago, A motion is pending in Federal Court.. The gov't has asked for a continuance. No developments are expected until mid to late May. If anything happens we'll let folks know, if rumours are floating around let us know so we can confirm/deny them. The docket number for the case is: 90-CR-0070 One of the counts in the federal charges filed by William Cook, Assistant United States Attorney William J. Cook contends that E911 material was stolen and published in PHRACK which could have been used to disrupt emergency services (see Schwartz's NEWSWEEK article and the indictment in Cu-D #1.00). We have read and re-read the E911 material published in PHRACK, and there is virtually nothing in it that reveals any sensitive information of any kind about the E911 or any other system. The published material is little more than definitions of terms, and is, by any reasonable standard, totally worthless as a "how to" document. We have been advised not to circulate the material for legal reasons, but if and when we are advised that it is legally permissible, we will re-print it so others can make an independent judgment. We recommend John Schwartz's NEWSWEEK article. He nicely identifies the danger of the current witch hunt for hackers, especially the LoD. As those familiar with the computer underground know, the LoD is hardly a monolithic fraternity of terrorists or "high tech street gangs," as Bill Cook once called hackers. They were a loose group of people on communication with one another largely for the purpose of sharing information. Contrary to media and law enforcement reports, our own independent evidence from LoD members or from alleged targets of their activities indicates that there was no organized group effort to terrorize, extort, or to engage in any of the felonious activities to which their critics allude. It is our professional judgment that the name has been symbolized for enforcement purposes, and those associated with that name are being targeted regardless of whether evidence exists of their wrong doing. We agree with sysop Al Evans (quoted in NEWSWEEK, April 30: p. 50): Given a choice between hackers and police crackdowns, %Al Evans% knows which he prefers: "The threat of somebody knocking on my door at 5:30 in the morning is the one that makes ME worry." =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ + END THIS FILE + +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+===+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=  Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253 12yrs+