DefCon Contest Rattles FBI's Nerves

snydeq writes "A DefCon contest that invites contestants to trick employees at 30 US corporations into revealing not-so-sensitive data has rattled nerves at the FBI. Chris Hadnagy, who is organizing the contest, also noted concerns from the financial industry, which fears hackers will target personal information. The contest will run for three days, with participants attempting to unearth data from an undisclosed list of about 30 US companies. The contest will take place in a room in the Riviera hotel in Las Vegas furnished with a soundproof booth and a speaker, so an audience can hear the contestants call companies and try to weasel out what data they can get from unwitting employees." The group organizing the contest has established a strict set of rules to ensure participants don't violate any laws. Update: 07/31 04:45 GMT by S : PCWorld has coverage of one of the day's more successful attacks.

Comments

Re:The information they want is almost too innocuo

[JWSmythe]

    I haven't been to a Defcon yet. Shit always comes up. But, don't they still take cash at the door? Do you have to provide a photo ID? I've been to several conventions where I observed the people ahead of me and when they don't ask for an ID, I just give a fake name and pay cash. I used to have a bunch of ID badges for "JW Smythe" hanging on my office wall (when I had an office) from various places. I don't feel it's necessary for every schmuck in the world to know who I really am.