Security News > 2003 > July > Deconstructing the Defacer Challenge Hoax/FUD

Forwarded from: security curmudgeon http://www.attrition.org/security/rants/z/defacement-challenge.html Deconstructing the Defacer Challenge Hoax/FUD Richard Forno, Brian Martin Sat Jul 12 17:18:32 EDT 2003 On June 21, 2003, a small web site was created to harnass the competitive nature of the defacing community by holding a contest of computer vandalism. Several computer security companies took this event as an opportunity to whore themselves out to any media outlet that might listen; once again blowing an event of questionable origins and dubious consequences way out of proportion. Their claims ranged from the event being capable of disrupting internet traffic to it causing tens of thousands of defacements and posing a serious threat to internet security. Yet, rather than teach the public, industry, and policymakers anything about security, it taught us another lesson in the power of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) and the scare tactics that security companies will use to make a quick buck. [snip...] - ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org To unsubscribe email majordomo () attrition org with 'unsubscribe isn' in the BODY of the mail.

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http://www.attrition.org/security/rants/z/defacement-challenge.html