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Technical News & Discussion => Windows News & Discussion => Topic started by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 09:00:07

Title: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 09:00:07
 :eek4:

Tesco, M&S etc could be next (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7366995.stm)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 09:00:54
It's almost inevitable, isn't it. I wonder if they'll go for the banks too?
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 09:02:05
Wouldn't surprise me, but you would hope that the banks are more security concious with data  ;)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 09:05:48
 :rofl:

You mean the banks that allow customers' data to be stored on laptops which are taken off site?  ;D
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 09:07:01
ahhhh yes  :blush: - the very same.

Hmmmmmm - looks like we could all be in big trouble soon  :(
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 09:08:37
The Nationwide online banking server was down for most of the day on Thursday. They won't say (as usual  >:() what the problem was, but DDoS would fit the symptoms perfectly.
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 09:11:17
What would happen if they hit all the banks simultaneously?
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 09:14:11
Lots of irate customers, considerable load on the banks' call centres, massive disruption to the banking system.
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 09:26:08
Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 09:14:11
Lots of irate customers, considerable load on the banks' call centres, massive disruption to the banking system.

So basically lots of fun for everyone then  :whistle:

As long as they don't do it on my pay day  ;D
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 09:27:45
If they had any sense, they'd target the last/first days of the month, when more people access online banking.
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 09:31:47
that's true, but then we wouldn't want to be seen to be suggesting things to help them would we?  :whistle:
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 09:33:37
I doubt they need any help from us, Mad. I suspect they would know exactly when and where to strike. :(
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 09:34:44
Unfortunately true  :(

Why don't they all just  :get:
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 09:35:28
They have, it's called anarchy. ;)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 09:46:37
That's true, but it just makes me wonder where we would be if peeps like that used their obvious intelligence for something to benefit us, rather than inconvenience us at best, and really ^&*% us up at worst.  :-\
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 09:48:12
Sometimes they do, of course, but we shouldn't forget that people can earn a lot of money in this way. They're not entirely without motive.
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Tacitus on Apr 27, 2008, 09:51:14
Quote from: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 09:00:07
:eek4:
Tesco, M&S etc could be next (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7366995.stm)

A lot of this is down to poor security, not by Tesco et al, but by individuals who let their machines get taken over as part of a botnet.  Some of it is also down to a single OS being installed on some 90% of the world's PCs making it easier to create a botnet.  As in nature, diversity is a good thing.  The fact that the OS in question is inherently insecure, unless you know what you're doing, doesn't help.  That said, the most insecure part of a computer is the bit that fits between the chair and the keyboard   :laugh:

Disclaimer:  I use a Mac, but the opinions expressed have nothing to do with Macs, Apple, or fanboyism  ;D


Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 09:57:33
Quote from: Tacitus on Apr 27, 2008, 09:51:14
That said, the most insecure part of a computer is the bit that fits between the chair and the keyboard   :laugh:

What, my stomach!!? ;D
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 10:02:34
Quote from: Tacitus on Apr 27, 2008, 09:51:14
A lot of this is down to poor security, not by Tesco et al, but by individuals who let their machines get taken over as part of a botnet.  Some of it is also down to a single OS being installed on some 90% of the world's PCs making it easier to create a botnet.  As in nature, diversity is a good thing.  The fact that the OS in question is inherently insecure, unless you know what you're doing, doesn't help.  That said, the most insecure part of a computer is the bit that fits between the chair and the keyboard   :laugh:

How very true, but then I'm guilty of going along withe Windows crowd too - although I would hope that I have a lot more of a clue than most  8)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:03:25
Does that make you a clued hoob? ;)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:04:03
Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 09:14:11
Lots of irate customers, considerable load on the banks' call centres, massive disruption to the banking system.


So india would come to a standstill then.
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:04:59
 :rofl:

A few satellites in meltdown maybe. :)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:05:50
Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:03:25
Does that make you a clued hoob? ;)

and not a Hoob Noob  ;D
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 10:05:53
Quote from: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:04:03

So india would come to a standstill then.

:zip:
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:06:44
Quote from: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:05:50
and not a Hoob Noob  ;D

I like hoob noobs.  :hungry:
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:07:05
Quote from: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:04:03

So india would come to a standstill then.


Alternative method would be to hide all their scripts.
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:08:17
Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:06:44
I like hoob noobs.  :hungry:


I've got a cheese bagel defrosting, the ham in ready and kettle boiling, anyone want a brew?
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 10:09:55
Quote from: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:07:05

Alternative method would be to hide all their scripts.

:lol:

Now that really would bring most banks to a halt  ;D

Coffe white 2 please Malc  :)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:10:50
Quote from: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:08:17

I've got a cheese bagel defrosting, the ham in ready and kettle boiling, anyone want a brew?

Iron? ;)

I'm just going to try my pleading spaniel look on Sue and see what she can come up with. :)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:13:02
*Off to get my food*
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: somanyholes on Apr 27, 2008, 10:13:49
if this article happens i will be busy then lol

tbh, i think anti ddos devices are getting much better, + theres enough ways of blackholing stuff, to remove the requests....
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 10:15:33
Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:10:50
I'm just going to try my pleading spaniel look on Sue and see what she can come up with. :)

Does that look usually work Rik?  ;)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:17:09
Usually, but not always. ;)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 10:17:53
Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:17:09
Usually, but not always. ;)

All together now - aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww  ;D
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:18:35
My girth is a monument to my success rate.  :P ;D
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 10:19:17
Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:18:35
My girth is a monument to my success rate.  :P ;D

:rofl:
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:19:55
Quote from: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 10:15:33
Does that look usually work Rik?  ;)

Depends what he's after  ;D
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:22:51
You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment.  :leer:
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:23:34
Sandwich or cooked meal, I was thinking. ;)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:26:28
A bacon butty is being prepared for me as I type.  :) :happy:
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Tacitus on Apr 27, 2008, 10:33:23
Quote from: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 10:05:53
:zip:

Laugh, I nearly choked on my muesli  :laugh:
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 10:36:03
Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 10:26:28
A bacon butty is being prepared for me as I type.  :) :happy:

that sounds wonderful Rik - I just had a bowl of frosted Shreddies  :(
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 10:48:30
Quote from: Tacitus on Apr 27, 2008, 10:33:23
Laugh, I nearly choked on my muesli  :laugh:

Hope your ok now  ;)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 11:06:50
Quote from: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 10:36:03
that sounds wonderful Rik - I just had a bowl of frosted Shreddies  :(

It was, Ayrshire bacon in home-made wholemeal bread.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Malc on Apr 27, 2008, 11:09:06
Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 11:06:50
It was, Ayrshire bacon in home-made wholemeal bread.  :thumb:


and lashings of brown sauce, I hope  :P
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 11:09:58
What, and mask the flavour of the bacon? No way.  :no:
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 11:24:48
Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 11:06:50
It was, Ayrshire bacon in home-made wholemeal bread.  :thumb:

You're making my mouth water here - home made bread - lovely.

Should have had some HP on there though Rik - a bacon butty's not complete without some. Has to be HP though - no other brown sauce will do  ;)
Title: Re: Hackers warn High Street Chains
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 11:26:00
So the ad men keep telling us. With Ayrshire, though, the flavour is already there. :)