Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them

Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them
Kevin Poulsen, SecurityFocus 2002-08-27

The helpful hacker demonstrates his techniques on camera for the NBC Nightly News, but lawyers kill the story when he cracks the broadcast network's own systems.

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-28
Not Really Anonymous

Why is Lamo featured on SecurityFocus so much? Is he the bosses son or a friend of one of the writers?

Don't get me wrong, I think news should be reported but, to report Lamo is trying to get aired on NBC by using the same method he used for the NY Times?

Also, what does Kinko's have to say...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-28
Anonymous

It would be interesting to know whether this producer had authority to invite people into the site and how Lamo knew this was a genuine NBC producer.

Rather than comment on "how easy" hacking I would think of how poorly the site was secured. Maybe that embarassed the lawyers....

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-28
phil (1 replies)

I think the corporate big wigs need to get off of their high horses and accept defeat for once. They spend time being embarresed about their being exploited because they have "gotten this far". Not everyone is a computer expert, and no ONE computer expert knows everything, the next guy is going to m...

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Phil's and imbicile, and Lamo's a crim. 2002-08-29
Scott (5 replies)

>accept defeat

Get a life phil. Maybe you should invite me to your home and I assault you. Accept defeat? Maybe you should. After all, you're vulnerable.

> being embarresed

Fair comment, except there's more at stake than embarrassment. Corporations are entitled to take the risk in not prot...

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Phil's and imbicile, and Lamo's a crim. bollocks 2002-08-29
Damien

You need to read up a bit Scott.

Lamo don´t use the stuff he finds, he don´t store files where he´s been. And what seems most important here, he don´t contact the media himself, NBC in this case contacted him.

And what you realy miss is that he has never accepted any form of payment when he patch...

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Phil's and imbicile, and Lamo's a crim. NOT! 2002-08-29
Anonymous

You can't even spell ... imbecile; your analogies are not valid; where was the assault? Peeping tom maybe but hey you aren't a peeping tom if you are invited into the bedroom.

Scotty, your spelling and diction are criminal. Maybe you could get a life by taking some English lessons.

Good ...

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Phil's and imbicile, and Lamo's a crim. 2002-08-29
Ostracus (1 replies)

"> being embarresed

Fair comment, except there's more at stake than embarrassment. Corporations are entitled to take the risk in not protecting their systems. They are entitled to someone not attacking their vulnerabilities. It's one thing to exploit their vulnerabilities - it's another to offer th...

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Breaking and Entering? 2002-09-06
JQuest

The problem, of course, is the lack of legislation regarding this subject. I'm no lawyer, but the only parallel we seem to have is breaking and entering.

If I leave the front door to my house open and someone walks in, have they committed breaking and entering? Opinions differ.

* From (http://...

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Phil's and imbicile, and Lamo's a crim. 2002-08-29
Anonymous (1 replies)

IIRC, Lamo doesn't have a real house, so I'm not sure if your idea would work. In any case, you have to realize that Lamo has not actually broken any laws - if your intranet is so vulnerable that it can actually be accessed by a web browser via the Internet, you can't possibly hold everyone that stu...

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Phil's and imbicile, and Lamo's a crim. 2002-09-06
Ryan

>Your post - if your intranet is so vulnerable that it can actually be accessed by a web browser via the Internet, you can't possibly hold everyone that stumbles into it responsible - however unlikely the stumbling atually is.

>Lamo Story - Five minutes and one guessed password later and Lamo wa...

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Phil's and imbicile, and Lamo's a crim. 2002-09-03
Anonymous

The kid's got a talent; someone knowledgable in the subject may not consider it "talent", but it's a talent nevertheless. He found a way to get what he wants, and for that I say good for him.

Just because his methods, motives, and/or means don't agree with what you prefer or beleive in doesn't m...

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Lamo is a script kiddy 2002-08-28
Anonymous (5 replies)

Why is Security Focus making such a big deal out of Adrian? Hes nothing more than a script kiddy except he doesn't deface websites, he goes straight to the media for some mediawhoring fame. Hundreds of people do the same junk Adrian does daily, except they don't go lookin for press attention, they...

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Lamo is a script kiddy 2002-08-28
Ira Wing

Success is measured in media visibility these days, and attempting to write off someone as a script kiddie (especially when no script kiddie would ever be able to resist the urge to splatter "0wN3d 2k2 4eVr" all over every page he touched) is pure ignorance.

This nice networked world we live in i...

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Lamo is a script kiddy 2002-08-28
Anonymous (4 replies)

If he only uses a web browser to do his work, he's hardly a script kiddie. If he uses other programs, then you may be right. ...

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Lamo is NOT a script kiddie 2002-08-29
Simon

Mr "anonymous" that called Lamo a script kiddie. You have no idea of the definition of a Script Kiddie. Get on IRC,They're Everywhere! Script kiddies in the proper sense of the word, do use other programs to do their hacking, but it also relates to dickheads on t3s who kill people for their amuse...

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Lamo is a script kiddy 2002-08-29
Anonymous

he was on a kinkos machine so how would he use other programs?...

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Lamo is a script kiddy 2002-09-03
Anonymous

Many intrusions can be exectued with a web browser and no other external programs. He is still a script kiddy....

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Lamo is a script kiddy 2002-09-04
Anonymous

he is just a script kiddie with time on his hands, hell if I didnt have a job I could sit at Kinko's and find all kind of vulnerablities too. I looked into this kid's story during his last (NY Times) "hack", he is using other progs than just his browser....

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Lamo is a script kiddy 2002-08-29
kokorozashi

That you would bother to call Lamo a script kiddie media whore says more about your envy than his honor or skills. And you missed the point: The story would have been educational for CEOs who still have their secretaries print email on paper....

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Lamo is a script kiddy 2002-09-06
KG

sounds like jealously to me... anyone to informs the media of a network that is vulnerable is doing everyone a favor, especially us Admins/Whitehat hackers...

Guess what... security measures is like diaster recovery... no money is spent for it, UNTIL something happens..

Thanks Lamo, you proba...

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Lamo is a script kiddy 2002-09-07
Anonymous?

well...

he uses "the easy way" to get into their systems... is it that what makes you a script kiddie? I'm such a script kiddie, too. i think it would be dumb not to do that, since his goal is simply to get into their systems.

it-security is not like hillclimbing, where taking the stairs to the to...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-28
Anonymous (2 replies)

I have tried before looking into these laws and to interpret their meaning, however, I do not have the uncanny ability to interpret legal jargon very well and have only a basic understanding of the laws.

This article then arouses my curiosity about what is considered "law breaking" activity. Her...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-28
Not Really Anonymous (2 replies)

I believe Foundstone and @Stake should not be thrown in the same category as Lamo. They would have legal contracts with their clients, permitting them to perform assessments (Im sure the legal jargon has all the CYA text needed).

If Lamo ever gets sentenced, they should ban him from all internet...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-29
Anonymous

If we were still in a society where a persons word of honor still mattered then Lamo and Security companies could be lumped together.

Unfortunately we are in a world where if there is no legal (written, signed in triplicate with some blood, ok the blood is a little overboard and facetious) contra...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-09-03
Anonymous (1 replies)

Hmm, now I think you go to far. After all, think about how you phrased that - "Lamo should be banned for ..." for how long? How monitored? Who monitors?

I speak as a Security COnsultant who [frequently] has to clean up the 'mess' (particularly created by script_kiddies). So I think I can say I ha...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-09-04
Not Really Anonymous

Do you really think I was serious?

I meant that as a joke, a jab, to lighten things up.

But to answer your question:

[quote]

Why should computer criminals be treated differently from other criminals

[/quote]

I think that if a murder uses a gun to kill someone, then they should not be a...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-31
Anonymous

Near as I can tell, it boils down to simple economics. Broadcast proof that they are vulnerable and the people and businesses that trusted NBC would either get their lawyers involved, or simply take their money elswhere. This wouldn't exactly help their stock prices, either.

Personally, I find ...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-28
Anonymous

I love the fact they dropped the story...wonder if they would have dropped it if the company being hacked was 'xyz' instead of NBC? ...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-29
Anonymous (4 replies)

I believe the issue in this case was that the jounalist ASKED the guy to see if he could hack NBC. And that would, I assume, be a very big no-no.

A media organisation can't legally be seen to be encouraging unlawful behaviour, and in this instance, the lawyers were probably spot on....

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-29
Roger

IANAL but...

As I understand it, he can't be prosecuted for hacking NBC with the producer's go-ahead if he reasonably believed the producer had the authority to permit it. (It certainly doesn't matter that the permission wasn't a contract on paper.)

Of course, the producer may get into trouble w...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-29
Anonymous

Anyone who looks at the big picture can see this is about NBC saving face on the whole situation.

No company on earth wants to actively advertise to the world that it's lame enough to be hacked from Kinkos. [whether they are or not]

If this was about some anonymous company then I doubt the l...

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Lamo 2002-08-29
Jay

I think what this kid is doing is stupid. If he's so worried about security, then get a job w/ a security company and do it legally via contracted work, etc.

He just likes the attention he's getting from the media, plain and simple.

What he's doing is against the law, plain and simple.

...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-29
Anonymous

Um, if the NBC reporter asked him to hack NBC, how is he breaking the law? It would be reasonable for him to assume at that point that since he had been asked to hack NBC's system by a representative of NBC that his activity was perfectly legal.

If the reporter didn't have the authority to ask h...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-29
y2kprawn

Interesting that the story was pulled when there was "bad publicity" involved. Everyone has a right to see what can be done to their networks, and yes it was conducted in a very odd manner, however its the fact that it was pulled before it was aired that disturbs me, how many stories that would gene...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-29
Anonymous

I would like to know how this journalist's job security is today. Hmm. An employee asks someone to hack the network while the employee video tapes it with the intent to show the world that the corporate network is insecure. I hope the journalist has some savings....

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-29
Anonymous

They could have ran the story, blocking out the stupid peacock and any other company identifiable information. The interesting part of the story for the average John Doe (not smart security people like the ones reading this message), is anyone can walk into a Kinko's and hack the heck out of your ne...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-29
Anonymous

If NBC was dumb enough to ask to be hacked and the attempt was successful I think they probably look shitfaced because now if they air that piece every kiddy scripter and wouldbe hacker will attempt to intrude their network. I think its a smart Idea to remove the segment for security reasons.

Ho...

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Not illegal! 2002-08-29
Anonymous

This is a situation where an employee of a company says "see if you can hack into my system."

He is now given permission, therefore not illegal. If the employee did not have authority to grant permission, it is a different story.

I can tell someone to see if they can break into my house.

ht...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-29
MadLibs (1 replies)

It sounds to me, from reading a handful of these comments that you writers are two things: threatened and jealous. You are threatened because Lamo will keep you from doing "projects" to corporations. You don't want him to destroy your pasttime. You're also jealous that he's getting attention. Deal. ...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-09-09
Steve

Dear Madlibs,

You poor simple thing...You seem unable to understand some of the problems that people have with Adrian Lamo. People distrust him because his actions are motivated by the amount of media coverage he can garner. This should make anybody's actions suspect. Also, not everybody wants...

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My question is why ? 2002-08-29
Brian Gray // Bloodline

My question is why? I can see it making the news that NBC is showing their cowardice in airing the piece. Why is this guy getting attention for performing simple tasks like network enumeration. Web based tools are deffinately available so big deal if he can find an internal web server with his brows...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-08-31
M4rtin

They shouldn't have pulled it off the air. There were no laws broken. If you give someone a coat hanger and ask someone to show you they can get into your car is that breaking the law? Or if you get someone to pick a lot and gain access to your own building with your permission should this person be...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-09-03
Ron

There is no illegality if a producer for NBC invited Lamo to enter their system. Lamo reasonably could have believed that the NBC producer had legal authority to allow him to enter the corporate computers without written approval from the CEO. Whether or not the producer actually did is an issue b...

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uhm..securityfocus is slow 2002-09-03
I am jack's name

why dont we just accept the fact that there are alot of kids out there that will do things for attention...and alot we dont like...and alot of people out there that can do the exact same thing without attention...we must also take into account that there are people out there that do it for attention...

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So very smart 2002-09-04
Gleb

I completely agree with all of you, and have one thing to add to all of this. This guy is 21 years old and he will be torn apart by companies with job offers if not already so. Good idea!...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-09-05
Camel (2 replies)

They should fire the journalist that suggested he even look at NBC's network. He just encouraged an illegal act since he didn't have the authority to tell Lamo to do anything. Lamo might not be held at fault after some legal wrangling, but the journalist surely would be helb liable by NBC. I would h...

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good point 2002-09-06
anonymous coward

While everybody point personal affirmations or judgements (this guy is sk, this guy is crime, this guy is ok, this guy is smart...), stories like this one are NOISE, only NOISE, and only deserve all of us.

Liberticid laws are the consequence of FUD & NOISE, can't you see?

*Hacker* ethic? Let'...

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Lamo Bumped from NBC After Hacking Them 2002-09-08
Anonymous

Your right. the journalist should be held accountable for asking someone to do something clearly illegal just for the sake of filming it. but what will most likely happen is that Lamo will be labeled a terrorist and a threat to the free world under the Patriot Bill (Act?) that Bush signed last year,...

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You're all idiots except.... 2002-09-07
cm

I think that anybody that posted anything on this Lamo character is an idiot. The only sane person that has posted anything on this messege board is the individual that questioned why Lamo is so god damn important. He's nothing special - hundreds, maybe even thousands of people 'hack' the same way a...

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This Script Kiddie thing... 2002-09-10
dunno

just because you use certain tools does not mean you are a script kiddie. if you need to do somethign fast then why sit there for 3 hours writing and compiling a c program when you could have just used someone else`s ? If you understand the language, could recreate the thing then why not use some pr...

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