Ignorance, stupidity, lazieness and artificiality. They've appeased the masses needs haven't they?
Typical Windows Users: It's so easy to use, I don't need to learn a thing AND it looks good! I'm dumb enough to buy it! I can't wait for my system to be hacked by the latest security exploits! This is awesome!!!
I would be interested in a different show where contestants are "would-be hackers" and security pros or just plain "kiddies" and "wannabes" who undergo a series of security/hacking related "tests" to test their ability and knowledge to penetrate certain security measures put in place. A preliminary contest would start initially with entry level web based hacking for example, or simple brute force password and username schemes to gain next level access to remote and local systems - albeit honey pots or live systems. As contestants are eliminated, the security increases and the tasks get more demanding and interesting. Maybe there would be elimination rounds where contestants would answer a series of questions given a certain scenario and would have to answer with the most unique and "clever" idea possible they would use to break into a system or crack a security system put in place. They would then be rates and reviewed by experts in the security field (maybe Kevin Mitnick or other well known "hackers"). A final showdown would be like wheel of fortunes final "puzzle" where the final person would be given 60 seconds or so to crack or decode a certain security scheme or problem for a grand prize of $50,000 or something - not to mention the fame and recognition of peers and the world of their extraordinary talent and unique skills and abilities. This show could teach others of the methods and techniques of other hackers to learn from them and improve their own security awareness. Maybe this wouldn't hit any mainstream market but computer hacking has always been a wide source of intrigue and interest for a lot of people with any understanding of computers. You can tell from the wide array of computer based films that all have some form of "hacking" involved to some extent. This would also give "hackers" and security experts an opportunity to use their knowledge in a constructive and controlled environment while fulfilling their own needs for cracking the code and gaining access and outsmarting the security system along with the recognition of their skills and ability. They say the common flaw of most "hackers" is that they want to show people how smart they are, and fortunately, that's how they get caught (by bragging on IRC or blogging their feats) - not that any real hacker would do this. The show would ultimately find those rare few who can back up their egos with proven "leet" skills and abilities. It would be good for all involved and would be a unique twist of reality TV that's never been seen before. Risky? Maybe. But done right, I think it has some real potential. I realize that not everyone cares about computer security or hacking and the show would have to be limited in content (i.e. 30 min show for example) would limit the complexity of each round and scenario and you would need to keep the show interesting and exciting and really glorify computer security and hacking much the same way Hollywood does in the movies. I figure if they can make a live TV show like "Iron Chef" on national cable TV to be successful, they can sure as hell make "Leet Hacker" a national hit as well or maybe that's just my warped perception and reality.;)
Good enough for the task? Do they really expect to compete with big blue and UNIX/Linux based security models and stability in large scale networks?
I can see it already.....
Large Company Executives: "But what about security and cost?"
Bill Gates: "It doesn't matter!"
I'm curious if distributed computing could be used to crack the CIA "Kryptos" code designed by James Sandborn.
In 1988, the CIA selected Sanborn's entry called "Kryptos" (meaning "hidden" in greek) to design the monument at CIA headquarters. Mr. Sandborn worked with retired CIA cryptographer to devise codes used in the sculpture. Mr. Sandborn wrote the text to coded in collaboration with a prominent fiction writer.
James Sanborn is noted for saying "They will be able to read what I wrote, but what I wrote is a mystery itself." Only two people have been able to crack 3/4's of the kryptos code - A computer scientist. The other, a physicist. The remaining message is still unknown.
http://cia.gov/cia/information/tour/krypt.html
Slashdot Mirror
Ignorance, stupidity, lazieness and artificiality. They've appeased the masses needs haven't they? Typical Windows Users: It's so easy to use, I don't need to learn a thing AND it looks good! I'm dumb enough to buy it! I can't wait for my system to be hacked by the latest security exploits! This is awesome!!!
I would be interested in a different show where contestants are "would-be hackers" and security pros or just plain "kiddies" and "wannabes" who undergo a series of security/hacking related "tests" to test their ability and knowledge to penetrate certain security measures put in place. A preliminary contest would start initially with entry level web based hacking for example, or simple brute force password and username schemes to gain next level access to remote and local systems - albeit honey pots or live systems. As contestants are eliminated, the security increases and the tasks get more demanding and interesting. Maybe there would be elimination rounds where contestants would answer a series of questions given a certain scenario and would have to answer with the most unique and "clever" idea possible they would use to break into a system or crack a security system put in place. They would then be rates and reviewed by experts in the security field (maybe Kevin Mitnick or other well known "hackers"). A final showdown would be like wheel of fortunes final "puzzle" where the final person would be given 60 seconds or so to crack or decode a certain security scheme or problem for a grand prize of $50,000 or something - not to mention the fame and recognition of peers and the world of their extraordinary talent and unique skills and abilities. This show could teach others of the methods and techniques of other hackers to learn from them and improve their own security awareness. Maybe this wouldn't hit any mainstream market but computer hacking has always been a wide source of intrigue and interest for a lot of people with any understanding of computers. You can tell from the wide array of computer based films that all have some form of "hacking" involved to some extent. This would also give "hackers" and security experts an opportunity to use their knowledge in a constructive and controlled environment while fulfilling their own needs for cracking the code and gaining access and outsmarting the security system along with the recognition of their skills and ability. They say the common flaw of most "hackers" is that they want to show people how smart they are, and fortunately, that's how they get caught (by bragging on IRC or blogging their feats) - not that any real hacker would do this. The show would ultimately find those rare few who can back up their egos with proven "leet" skills and abilities. It would be good for all involved and would be a unique twist of reality TV that's never been seen before. Risky? Maybe. But done right, I think it has some real potential. I realize that not everyone cares about computer security or hacking and the show would have to be limited in content (i.e. 30 min show for example) would limit the complexity of each round and scenario and you would need to keep the show interesting and exciting and really glorify computer security and hacking much the same way Hollywood does in the movies. I figure if they can make a live TV show like "Iron Chef" on national cable TV to be successful, they can sure as hell make "Leet Hacker" a national hit as well or maybe that's just my warped perception and reality. ;)
Good enough for the task? Do they really expect to compete with big blue and UNIX/Linux based security models and stability in large scale networks? I can see it already..... Large Company Executives: "But what about security and cost?"
Bill Gates: "It doesn't matter!"
I'm curious if distributed computing could be used to crack the CIA "Kryptos" code designed by James Sandborn. In 1988, the CIA selected Sanborn's entry called "Kryptos" (meaning "hidden" in greek) to design the monument at CIA headquarters. Mr. Sandborn worked with retired CIA cryptographer to devise codes used in the sculpture. Mr. Sandborn wrote the text to coded in collaboration with a prominent fiction writer. James Sanborn is noted for saying "They will be able to read what I wrote, but what I wrote is a mystery itself." Only two people have been able to crack 3/4's of the kryptos code - A computer scientist. The other, a physicist. The remaining message is still unknown. http://cia.gov/cia/information/tour/krypt.html