Hackers claim there’s a black hole

[Sweetpea]

Hackers have broken into one of the computer networks of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
A group calling itself the Greek Security Team left a rogue webpage describing the technicians responsible for computer security at the giant atom smasher as “schoolkids” — but reassuring scientists that they did not want to disrupt the experiment.
The hackers gained access to a website open to other scientists on Wednesday as the LHC passed its first test, sending its protons off on their dizzying journey through time and space, close to the speed of light.
The work of the scientists was not derailed and insiders scoffed at claims that the hackers were “one step away” from the systems controlling the experiment itself. The engineering team completed four days of scheduled work in the first 24 hours but what physicists are really waiting for is the big bang machine’s first collisions.

Hackers claim there’s a black hole in the atom smashers’ computer network - Times Online

A tad worrying.

[poppy]

I never believe any corperation or government that says it's security cannot be breached, it always can.
I hope that is just front and behind the scenes they are frantically securing it further.
But we have to accept that some hacker nerd somewhere will be working his his horrible little socks off finding a way in.

Then......................................

[Sweetpea]

For any security measure, there are always several hundred laying in bed at night wondering how to crack it.

(I sure there's a joke there)

[Haqa]

Firstly, the very best cracker will always be better (And more flexible) than the very best security specialist, because the cracker has no corporate governance, rules and regs to follow, the security specialists are really fighting the battle with one arm tied behind their backs... (I should know...).

However, the suggestion that the crackers got near the LHC control systems appear utterly ludicrous... Websites run in web hosting environments (Like the one hosting TB for example), control systems run on closed networks - You would just never have them on the same networks, probably not even on the same site!

H.

[Churchill]

I think if they'd created a black hole we wouldn't know about it - We wouldn't be here.

[Sweetpea]

I think it meant 'a black hole' in it's security.

[Churchill]

Sorry, I should have read it

[poppy]

Originally Posted by Haqa

Firstly, the very best cracker will always be better (And more flexible) than the very best security specialist, because the cracker has no corporate governance, rules and regs to follow, the security specialists are really fighting the battle with one arm tied behind their backs... (I should know...).

However, the suggestion that the crackers got near the LHC control systems appear utterly ludicrous... Websites run in web hosting environments (Like the one hosting TB for example), control systems run on closed networks - You would just never have them on the same networks, probably not even on the same site!

H.

But an English kid hacked Nasa, so nothing is invulnerable.
Desire, knowledge and a dollop of luck, endless time and tunnel vision a need to prove ones nerdyness,someone will do it.

[ambriel]

The simplest way to protect a system from hackers is simply to not have it connected to the internet. It's not a perfect solution because someone on the inside could still attempt an attack but they'd be much more likely to be detected.

[Sweetpea]

Or employ your own