Security News > 2004 > November > Hacker answers critics, invites them to 'crusade'

http://news.inq7.net/infotech/index.php?index=1&story_id=19689 By Erwin Lemuel Oliva Nov 29, 2004 INQ7.net INSTEAD of hitting back at critics, the founder of a hacker group out to expose network vulnerabilities in the Philippines remained optimistic, as he invited other like-minded hackers to help him in the group's crusade to increase security awareness in the country. "I respect [Team] Asianpride because of their contribution to Internet security but we have different kinds of approach on this issue. I hope we can work together to secure the Philippine Information superhighway," said PI_Flashbulb, founder of the Internet Security and Warfare (ISAW) group. Team Asianpride is different group of Filipino hackers who recently criticized the efforts of ISAW. R00tkitty, a member of the group, said ISAW's crusade to expose vulnerabilities in Philippine networks had only encouraged more attacks instead of abating them. PI_Flashbulb, however, said ISAW's disclosure of network security holes found in government and private firms had increased security awareness in the Philippines. "I believe ISAW has accomplished a lot because more and more government and private agencies are now aware of the implications if they would not improve their security, and I also believe that no time was wasted because we were able to help more than a hundred private and government agencies to secure their sites," PI_Flashbulb wrote INQ7.net in an e-mail. The hacker admitted that ISAW had stirred a hornet's nest. "[But] this is a good sign that will make people think twice before putting up a new website or adding new web applications," he added. ISAW maintains a web log or "blog" at phackers.org that contains postings of website vulnerabilities the group uncovers. R00tkitty accused PI_Flashbulb of being media hungry and wanting only to create a frenzy about what they were doing. "It's all about personal gain, control, and kiss-bottom all the way to the top," added r00tkitty. R00tkitty is a member of Team AsianPride who organized the 4 * Clock Project, a supposed organized attack on Philippine networks to teach local Internet service providers and telephone companies a lesson on security in 2001. Since that time, r00tkitty said the Philippine information technology security scene "has improved dramatically." Following its 4* Clock Project, Team Asianpride has decided to work with the Filipino Developers Network in the development of an "innovative security solution," according to the hacker. This solution was presented in 2003 at the first ManilaCon hackers conference, he said. _________________________________________ Open Source Vulnerability Database (OSVDB) Everything is Vulnerable - http://www.osvdb.org/

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