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Teenager Accidentally Launches DDoS Attack On 911 Systems (softpedia.com)
A Phoenix teenager mistakenly tweeted a link to JavaScript exploit which forced iOS devices to automatically dial and re-dial 911. An anonymous reader quotes Softpedia:
The teenager created several weaponized versions of this bug which would constantly dial a phone number, or show annoying popups. The teenager says he wanted to prank his friends, thinking it would be "funny," but when he shared the weaponized link online, he shared a version that instead of showing annoying popups, redialed a phone number, which in this case was 911.
In September researchers calculated just 6,000 smartphones can take down an entire state's 911 system, while more than 1,849 people clicked on this link, according to the article. Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office searched the teenager's home -- "several items were seized" -- and they've charged him with three felony counts for computer tampering.
In September researchers calculated just 6,000 smartphones can take down an entire state's 911 system, while more than 1,849 people clicked on this link, according to the article. Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office searched the teenager's home -- "several items were seized" -- and they've charged him with three felony counts for computer tampering.
After all, if it weren't for that bug bounty enticing him....
Seriously, this guy needs a firm slap on the wrist and a year or two of probation, not prison time.
When it comes to carelessness, this ranks up there with the Robert T. Morris Sendmail worm of 1988. Heck, I'd hold Morris to a higher standard than this guy since he (Morris) was a graduate student at the time and presumably knew what he was doing more than Desai.
By the way, Morris was elected Fellow of the ACM in 2014.
References:
https://scholar.google.com/sch...
http://awards.acm.org/award_wi...
And the not-always-reliable reference, Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/ind...
Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
Ooh... I didn't remember that imbecile's name, but I am well aware of the rampant stupidity of the powers-that-be in Maricopa County.
I did a quick Google search, and came across something interesting. While Maricopa's overall crime rate is lower than average (for comparably-sized municipalities), its violent crime rate is actually higher than average. So it sounds like this Sheriff isn't very effective when it comes to the criminals you'd actually want him to be catching. But if you want your sheriff to be keeping the kids in line, he's your man!
"From our analysis, we discovered that violent crime in Maricopa occurs at a rate higher than in most communities of all population sizes in America. The chance that a person will become a victim of a violent crime in Maricopa; such as armed robbery, aggravated assault, rape or murder; is 1 in 443. This equates to a rate of 2 per one thousand inhabitants.
Moreover, the rate of property crime in Maricopa; burglary, larceny ($50 or more), grand theft auto, and arson; is 16 per 1,000 residents. This is about average for all cities and towns in America of all population sizes."
But it's Arizona, so the voters are mostly old and probably don't actually look up stuff. I'm guessing he trots out press releases (with his photo as the watermark!) on a regular basis, and it makes the retirees feel safe.
#DeleteChrome