The Fifteen Greatest Hacking Exploits

By Nicolas Aguila
published

The Raid On The New York Times

All sectors have fallen victim to hacker attacks, including the press. The most notable example is the New York Times, which in 2002 was targeted by the famous hacker Adrian Lamo.

Intrusion into the Heart of a Newspaper

The story of Adrian Lamo's attack on the New York Times site begins in February 2002, when he succeeded in gaining entry to the newspaper's internal network, and soon started modifying critical files. He modified confidential databases, in one of them, which listed the experts in contact with the newspaper, he added his own name. Another gave him access to all newspaper subjects, including those that had never been published.

These modifications were quickly discovered, and the newspaper of course filed a complaint. Adrian Lamo was arrested in August 2003 after an investigation that lasted over 15 months. He was sentenced to two years' probation, and $65,000 in damages were awarded to the Times.

Nicolas Aguila
10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • They should have very serious consequences for hackers. I'm tired of defaced websites, viruses, trojans, etc. Although it is fun to screw around with other people's computers..especially if they've done it to you...but either way there should be some huge penalties for hacking. I say chop off a thumb on the first offence. 2nd offence: chope off the rest of the fingers on that hand. Hackers along with script kiddies would cease to exist.
    Reply
  • itadakimasu
    sounds like you have been the victim of malware and virii while doing some questionable internet browsing...
    Reply
  • Well, 'Anonymous', I hope you're using Tor to browse the 'intarweb', you worthless plebian.
    Here in the USA, we aren't barbarians, and the only people who would even deserve such harsh treatment would be rapists and their ilk. Even so, we just lock em up and release them on probation a few months/years later. :P
    Not perfect, but I say cutting off fingers because you're too stupid to take basic steps to protect your system? Kinda harsh.
    The difference between a robber and a hacker, is that you can completely stop a hacker by unplugging your phone line from your modem.
    Do that, for the sake of humanity. :P
    Reply
  • arkadi
    Well it is important info, but i don't think you can call them the best :) they got basted after all. Governments got best hackers if you ask me.
    Reply
  • Reynod
    There are numerous other well documented hacks that probably deserved a mention.

    At least you did take the moral high ground.

    You neglected to mention Electron and Phoenix ... clearly they were better than most of these mentioned here.



    Reply
  • deadliest
    hmmm so this hacker list is not complete oh oh oh , you should have guys, it was most interesting reading about this. But i think hackers are a necessary evil without them how would i play my pirated games :D
    Reply
  • @ Arkadi
    "Well it is important info, but i don't think you can call them the best :) they got basted after all. Governments got best hackers if you ask me. "

    Lol, where do you think the Government found there hackers? They hired guys like this ^^Rofl
    Reply
  • Script kiddies. Blegh.
    Reply
  • ahhhhhh
    its good to be a hacker
    Reply
  • jordanprogrammer
    the best website for programming language:
    www.jordanprogrammer.tk
    Reply