Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

A Look Into the Chinese Hacker Underworld

Posted by kdawson on from the fun-and-profit dept.

beachels416 writes "The NY Times gained access to a Chinese hacker-for-profit, referred to as 'Majia,' and observed him during one of his nightly 'sessions.' From the article: 'Oddly, Majia said his parents did not know that he was hacking at night [hacking is illegal in China]. But at one point, he explained the intricacies of computer hacking and stealing data while his mother stood nearby, listening silently, while offering a guest oranges and candy.' At another point Majia spoke about the recent Google attacks, and claimed to have particular knowledge of the exact vector used. Nothing too new, but an interesting read nevertheless."

3 of 198 comments (clear)

  1. Perspective check by abbynormal+brain · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The article highlights two important facts
    1. Fun
    2. Profitable

    It's been a long time since I broke into my grade school's soda/chips/candy closet from a skylight on the roof. Sitting there drinking soda and enjoying chips, I can clearly remember how exciting (breaking in) and rewarding (chips/soda) it was. Later, I learned to respect other people's property.

    So what now?
    If you park a trailer in an accessible area ... expect the back doors to be open and the cargo gone. It's very exciting - it's very rewarding. Is it wrong - sure. Are the thieves the ones to blame - no. Not exactly. The thieves are not the ones to blame - the thieves are to be expected. It's an ongoing game where we square off with human nature - make it furn for the security side - keep building better mouse traps. Don't like this perspective? Ok - change human nature then. Good luck.

    --
    L'esperienza de questa dolce vita (The experience of this sweet life) - Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy
  2. Contact the Sales dept... by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 5, Funny

    For less than $6, one can even purchase the "Hacker's Penetration Manual."

    Sure, please enter your Credit or Debit card info along with Name, Address ... Allow six weeks for delivery.

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
    1. Re:Contact the Sales dept... by The+Archon+V2.0 · · Score: 5, Funny

      For less than $6, one can even purchase the "Hacker's Penetration Manual."

      Sure, please enter your Credit or Debit card info along with Name, Address ... Allow six weeks for delivery.

      I did that. Not a very good book. "Chapter One: Social Engineering." is just six pages of "LOL!" repeated over and over.