Swede Hacks Embassy Account Information From Around the World

paulraps writes "A Swedish IT consultant has caused a stir in diplomatic circles after publishing a list of secret log-in details belonging to 100 embassies, public authorities and political parties around the world. Dan Egerstad said he wasn't trying to earn money, gain publicity or get a name for himself in hacking circles. Instead he claimed that publishing the list was easier than contacting the organizations individually — and that if he had handed it to the Swedish authorities then that would have been spying."

Comments

The real truth

[paulraps]

Here's a more detailed article on the subject, ending with a highly amusing quote from Dan Egerstad about his real reason for releasing the log-in info.

Re:The real truth

[Rob T Firefly]

He said he had published the list because it would have been too time-consuming to contact all 100 organizations named. Had he handed the list to the Swedish Security Service (Säpo), he would have been guilty of spying. He claimed that by publishing the list he saved himself trouble.

"This rescues me from the shit," he said. Well, I can see how that - huh???

Re:Competent hacker, poor social engineer

[QuickFox]

Not everywhere on this planet journalists enjoy the right to keep their sources secret. Here in Sweden he would certainly be well protected. We have strong laws about these things. Not only in the direct relationship with the papers. For instance, a whistleblower in public employ is so well protected that his boss can't even make innocent comments during a break at the coffee table trying to guess who it might be. Any attempt to try to identify a whistleblower, no matter how innocent it might seem, would land the boss in trouble. And the papers of course guard this protection with great fervor, making lots of publicity when any attempt is made.