India Enlists Teen "Hackers" as Cyber Cops

Popocatepetl writes "Apparently, you can get a job if you tell Indian government officials you can "hack" a government web site. This story is short on details, but may be interesting nonetheless, especially since the FBI is mentioned."

Comments

Uh....

[big_groo]

So what? Am I the only the one who finds this a "non-news" item? I hardly think so...

Huh?

[B00yah]

"They told me within 5 min. they could hack the govt. web page" ==from the article. Just because they say they can do it, does not mean they can.

What they fail to mention...

[smack_attack]

...is that the job includes wearing an orange jumper and picking up trash along side of thousands of miles of railroad tracks...

G1ve me a j0b

[Tairan]

cause 3y3 c4n ha>

(woops, wrong kind of hacker.. P.S - learn to be l337haxor over at http://johncglass.com/leethaxors.htm

Definitely interesting...

[the Man in Black]

...but the lack of details and general 'feel' of the article kinda makes me feel like this is an elaborate 'sting'. Have kiddies write/call in saying "I know how to crack a government site!". Bingo, instant crackdown on would-be crackerz.

I'd say stay away from this one...at least in the US, admitting to goverment officials that you're knowledgeable (and capable) of "compromising the security of federal property" isn't the best idea.

--Just Another Pimp A$$ Perl Hacker

So that's how it works...

[Jafa]

Oh yeah? Well, I can break into the NSA's computers in under 4 minutes...

So, where's my new job?

Jason

Brilliant eh?

[bool]

"They are brilliant. They told me that within five minutes they can hack the (Indian) defense ministry Web site...," he said.
Hummmm let's think about this one. How brilliant can someone be who would easily and openly admit to such a thing?

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do { Work(); PayTaxes(); Eat(); Sleep(); } while (alive)

Re:Brilliant eh?

[rkt]

The guy who said that, Dewang Mehta, is head of a group of Technology Industries. He is not a hacker himself, and I don't think the hackers themselves said anything. The article mainly speaks about the open-mindedness of the Indian industries over this issue. For one they are clear about the difference between a "hacker" and a "cracker". This is a big step in itself. It was a late jesture, now that many indian websites have been hacked in the past few weeks, but neverthless its still a right step. its better than letting those kids go wild cracking other sites... ...empty brain is a devils playground. rkt

Re:Brilliant eh?

[tve]

"Hacker is a term used to describe those who illegally break into computer systems to steal or copy information."

For one they are clear about the difference between a "hacker" and a "cracker".

So, which article did *you* read?

Is this New(s)?

[jonfromspace]

I could be WAY off here, but it seems to me that governments have been hiring young hackers for quite some time... Has the US not one this? We don't here much about the Gov's security teams, but it seems to me that these kind of people are the logical choice.

Can anyone confirm any previous examples of this? Or am I an idiot?

um.. I done, you can stop reading...

Not afraid to ask a stupid question

[The Queen]

"We want to use them positively so that they can create adequate firewalls so that nobody can hack our country's Web sites," he added.

Okay somebody answer me this: using hackers to catch/thwart hackers sounds good, but is it really feasible? What's to say that little Wali, age 14, who built your firewall, won't share those techniques with, oh, say some kid in Minnesota who happens to post regularly to places like Slashdot, and so now your custom defense can be cracked by k1dd13s? Do they sign a NDA or something?


"I'm not a bitch, I just play one on /."

Suits are the same the world over.

[RareHeintz]

"They are brilliant. They told me that within five minutes they can hack (sic) the (Indian) defense ministry Web site...," he (J. Random Suit) said.

I think the operative words here are "they told me".

I mean, the idea of co-opting the opposition talent sounds great on paper, but come on. (a) If you're going around cracking military websites, you're not going to go out of your way to attract attention to anything but your IRC pseudonym, and (2), a military website is still a website, and therefore vulnerable to script kiddies. It's not like these brats are grabbing the launch codes or anything.

YAWN.

OK,
- B
--

Age Discrimination.

[Tin Weasil]

This should be stopped. Just because I'm 30 doesn't mean that I can't "Hack a Government Web Site". This is yet another example of how us "oldsters" get pre-judged as being technically inferior to the younger set.

:-)

Re:Age Discrimination.

[Xerithane]

Then why don't you take your own actions into accountability?

To qualify myself, I am 20 years old.

I walked into a local auto mall, sat down in a Mercedes 430 CLK loaded that had a sticker of $89,000 -- you know what? They knew I could afford the damn car because of how I acted. I wasn't dressed that nice. Wearing a black leather jacket, a pocket linux tshirt, a pair of casual pants and boots.

But, I act like I'm not some kid who is just there to waste there time. I was there because I wanted to look at a CLK 430.

Same thing with the Honda S2000, my motorcycle (that I bought in favor of the S2000) - I get asked, "Are you going to be paying in cash" more times then I get a cold shoulder while looking at expensive toys. And I purchased my motorcycle while I was 19.

The only time I get brushed off is while I'm looking at a $400 suit - ironic, eh?

Your the fool in this circumstance, because me and my younger friends (16-20) all have no problems because we know how to act. Take accountability in your own actions.

Defense = Attack

[TheWhiteOtaku]

Which is more likely? That India hired a bunch of very aggressive hackers, who know more about breaking firewalls than creating them, with the sole intention of "defense from rogue hackers" or that India is really using some of the most distructive forces of the internet against others (Pakistan perhaps?)

I sincerely doubt a government is dumb enough to hire a hacker to put up a firewall which he would be extremely interested in taking down.

great article...

[theman2]

"Hacking, spreading viruses are much bigger criminal offenses in cyber terrorism than pornography," Mehta said.
Since when did that become a crime? And who in the world would equate looking at pornography with breaking into a computer system or spreading malicious virri? I am glad Mehta cleared that up for me...

"They are brilliant. They told me that within five minutes they can hack the (Indian) defense ministry Web site...," he said.

"We want to use them positively so that they can create adequate firewalls so that nobody can hack our country's Web sites," he added.
hm... they tell someone that they can break into a government computer in five minutes. I don't know anything about breaking into computers but the security must be pretty awefull if they can be compromised by anyone in that amount of time. Don't tell me they use 'welcome' as their admin password...
that is a really informative article. India is hiring 15-19 year olds who say they can break into a computer in five minutes to install firewalls and configure servers? The only reason I could see to hire some 16-19 year old 'hackers' is to get cheap and semi-knowledgable labor.
Maybe they should starting hiring the microsoft 'temps' that are in charge of securing their servers.

I am confused... could someone explain why this article is important enough to be posted on slashdot?
-theman2

Re:great article...

[SevenSeasOfRhye]

"Hacking, spreading viruses are much bigger criminal offenses in cyber terrorism than pornography,"
Since when did that become a crime?
Well, we in India aren't allowed By LAW to possess explicit pornography in any form what so ever.
Believe it or not, we're punishable by 2 years RI.

Mehta is a DUMB ASS SUIT.
He knows very little of computers (from what I kno w of him) but manages to be clicked with the right people in the right places.

India is hiring 15-19 year olds who say they can break into a computer in five minutes to install firewalls and configure servers? The only reason I could see to hire some 16-19 year old 'hackers' is to get cheap and semi-knowledgable labor.

They don't pay them much except paying for their internet costs (which are pretty high in India).
The people in charge are b'crats (read idiots).
The real HACKERS (take the meaning mentioned in the Jargon File Jargon) don't work or associate themselves with the GOVT.
Most of them go to institutes like the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, IISc Banglore et al.
The next time you read anything about Mehta, take it with a pinch nay a sack of salt
.

g1v3 m3 4 j0b

[VAXGeek]

d33R 1nD14nz:

1 c4N h4x0r 4nD cR4x0r 4 r33l. n0w G1v3 m3 4 j0b!

v4xg33k
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a funny comment: 1 karma
an insightful comment: 1 karma
a good old-fashioned flame: priceless

Why is their ages such a big deal?

[crazyj]

From the article: "The National Cyber Cop Committee set up by the industry will be advised by a group of 19 hackers, all between 14 and 19 years of age..."

What the article failed to mention was that like the band Menudo the members will be forced to retire when they reach puberty.

--
J, Pixel God

My resume

[anotherone]

3y3 4m 4 1337 H4><0r
3y3 4m iN73r3$73d i/\/ 4 j0b 1n jO0r c0mP4ny

mY r3f3r3n©3s:

1. 1995-1999: 3y3 wU$ w17h M@O-M0d, 3y3 h4><0r3d http://www.ubergah.com

   aw screw it, this'll get stopped by the lameness filter anyway

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Pornography is terrorism?

[Lord Ender]

From the article:

"Hacking, spreading viruses are much bigger criminal offenses in cyber terrorism than pornography," Mehta said.

So in India, pornography is an offense in cyber terrorism? Thank god I don't live there! Damn!

Re:Pornography is terrorism?

[Im2kul]

>>This is coming from a country that worships a giant penis? I've never quite understood that.

yes, and thats exactly the reason. The Shiv Ling depicted in consummate union with the Yoni ( vulva ) of Shakti (power), is representative of the most wonderful and miraculous feature of life itself. What distinguishes life from non-life, after all? Above all else, the ability to reproduce its own kind. If indians are to revere the concept that life itself is sacred- which even the Christians claim to believe- why is the most characteristic feature of life, the act of progenition, any less sacred? It is not only sex that I'm talking about here. It is the consummation of the vast and different energies of the male and female universal prerogative, of which the Shiv Ling in union is a symbol- celebrating the fact that humankind has two sexes, each with its unique attributes and qualities, and when they come together, they produce a synergy, they create MORE life, they become more than the sum of their individual parts. Many ancient civilisations recognized the wonder of this concept- including the Chinese, who represent it somewhat more abstractly in the symbol of Yin and Yang. It is a tribute to these ancient and wise people that they were able to perceive true miracles, true wonderment, in the very features of life which surround us in our everyday existence. They did not need to have some man walk upon water to see a miracle, nor see crippled people cured instantaneously- or, worse yet, read about it in some book and call their blind adherence to such beliefs "faith".

HELP WANTED.....

[canning]

National Bank of India needs young but experienced bank robbers to work as security guards. You will be required to transport and protect large sums of currency as well as securing the premises during night hours. Firearm and uniform provided. Only the most shifty of applicants will be considered. Apply in person.

Hacking would be more effective...

[jtseng]

...If someone in India fixed the northern Indian power grid!!!

Boring

[heikkile]

Cracking and defacing web sites may be exciting and a thrill to youngsters, but how many of them are really to have the patience to do a serious security audit? That is (should be) lot of paper work, and boring checklists.

Brillian script kiddies?

[Shotgun]

"They are brilliant. They told me that within five minutes they can hack the (Indian) defense ministry Web site...," he said.

Crack a server in five minutes. This doesn't sound like brilliance. It sounds like some script kiddies attacking servers deployed with default security settings.

Seriously folks, outside of Hollywood movies, cracking takes a lot of time and effort, except when it's packaged up and distributed to the script kiddies. Learning to use the scripts does take a minimal amount of intelligence, but the main investment is time to hang in the right usenet forum or chat room to search the scripts out. Grokking of networking dynamics or basic algorithms are not required to use the scripts. Once the script parameters have been memorized, using it is trivial; however, the change anything that breaks the script and the kiddies are SOL.

For instance, I have a nephew who considers himself 3733t due to his ability to crack copy protection on CD games using scripts he's found on the net. The dunderhead can't even count in binary and is totally baffled when presented with hex. I ask you, where is the brilliance? He doesn't create or understand anything. He just blindly copies what someone else has told him to do.

Even people that understand aspects of networking and the vulnerabilities of various OS' are not necessarily smart. Knowledge does not equal intelligence, though there is a strong correlation. I'm not saying these kids are dumb. I'm saying that 'brilliant' should be reserved for someone who can analyze a system and design an effective attack. The sort of analysis that take hours, days or weeks. The term does not apply to someone who can run a script, which is what the kids are relying on if they can be so cavalier in their claims.

Noting that, the Indian authorities still appear to be smarter than their American counterparts. Even if these kids are dumb as bricks, they have knowledge that is beneficial for law enforcement. Recruiting their help is very wise.

Would be funny if...

[t0qer]

login:root
password:*******

We're sorry but our webserver is now protected by an army of 3l33t sc1pt kidd135. Your IP has been logged.

Thank you come again!
!DOH
EOF

But are they Certified crackers?

[Sanity]

Wow - a 14 year old kid who claims that they are an ace cracker - and who better to judge than someone who clearly doesn't know their arse from their elbow when it comes to computers. Their idea of defacing a website is probably doing a "First Post" on Slashdot.

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