New documentary about Hacking - w/ Woz

[JTTech]

Since I've been working on this new documentary about hacking and cybercrime, I wanted to ask you all what you think of it so far.

It's called H*Commerce, which is a term from McAfee (the producer) meaning "the business of hacking." The first scene is out here: http://stophcommerce.com/

My favorite part: Woz talking about his phone phreaking days.

What do you think?

 

[sushi]

Interesting.

Blue boxes. Plus black and red boxes.

 

[localoid]

You've obviously confused hackers (those who hack) with crackers (those who crack). Hackers build things, crackers break them.

The New Hacker's Dictionary (1996) defined a hacker as "a person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users, who prefer to learn only the minimum necessary."

See: Hacker vs. Cracker -- "The inheritors of the technical tradition of the word 'hacker' as it was used at MIT sometimes take offense at the sloppy use of the term by journalists and others who are influenced by journalistic inaccuracy."

See also: Editorial - Hacker Vs. Cracker, Revisited -- "If more people in the 'general public' and the 'mainstream media' read this news service and saw this article, some headway might be made (in accurately calling people crackers instead of hackers)."

And: Cybercrime: A Reference Handbook -- "... most media pieces reporting computer system intrusions today typically use the word hacker when the more correct term would be cracker."


Suggested reading:

Hackers vs Crackers from Hacking Linux Exposed

A Brief History of Hackerdom

Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution

Origins and History of the Hackers, 1961-1995, from The Art of Unix Programming

Hackers and Crackers from Maximum Security: A Hacker's Guide to Protecting Your Internet Site and Network

Introduction and The Dark Side: Hackers versus Crackers from The Heroic Hacker: Legends of the Computer Age

Introduction from Hacking: The Art of Exploration

 

[mab75]

The cuckoo's egg

Interesting documentary! Many years ago I read the cuckoo's egg, sad ending but it really got me interested in playing around with technology.
BTW, who was the phreaker/hacker who won a porsche on an LA radio lottery by fooling the switchboards to make him caller 999 (or whatever the number was)?

 

[steve2112]

I liked it. I realize that it is nothing more than an ad for McAfee, but that is ok with me. I'll watch almost anything with Woz on it. (Except for Dancing with the Stars) He just seems like such a great guy, and I love his enthusiasm. Overall, though, it was fairly interesting, if a bit short.

One thing puzzles me. I watched the main trailer, and the trailer for episode 2, where there were talking about the Nigerian 419 scams. I have never understood how people lose money to these things. Come on, you honestly think there is a Nigerian prince/politician/businessman who just happened to pick YOUR name and email address to help him recover his money? After, of course, you provide a small amount of money up front to assist in this venture. Please. 20% of all 419 scam emails are directed to the US? It doesn't surprise me. It's just another indicator of the get rich quick mentality in this country.

Then again, maybe I'm just too cynical or something.

 

[wnxgenral]

i just want to let you know this is friken awesome... im hooked and signed up for updates. keep up the good work.

jack

 

[sushi]

You've obviously confused hackers (those who hack) with crackers (those who crack). Hackers build things, crackers break them.

Sure, that's the civilized definition if you will.

Unfortunately, in the real world, the term hackers is still used for those who are crackers. Most don't know the difference. Don't see this changing anytime soon.

 

[steve2112]

Sure, that's the civilized definition if you will.

Unfortunately, in the real world, the term hackers is still used for those who are crackers. Most don't know the difference. Don't see this changing anytime soon.

Yep, that is the truth. I long ago gave up trying explain the difference. I just accept it and move along. I just interpret it as "bad guy who wants to take over computers/networks for nefarious reasons". It's like virus vs trojan vs. spyware. Yeah, I know there is a technical difference between all of them, but it just isn't worth worrying about. It all means "bad software doing bad things to computers". Just accept it and move on.

 

[twoodcc]

very nice videos! looking forward to more!

 

[JTTech]

Localoid that is a really good point that you bring up.

So when I see the word cracker, I can tell what it means, and if it were an IT industry mag or even just a group of tech-savvy people then cracker would make sense to them...but I feel that most people would be confused by that term and probably wouldn't be interested in watching a film about "crackers." ​

It's a tough call for sure! But as for the technical definition, I agree w/ you there.​

and Steve, I was wondering the same thing, asking "how on earth do people fall for these 419 scams?"

But after working on this film I started to understand the main problem: we are looking at it from our shoes. Unfortunately, a lot (though not all) of the scam victims are older aged people. It is tough for us to see how they wouldn't intuitively know that an email was a scam, but some people just really aren't up to speed on how the web (or a computer) really works.

Of course, I'd say that most adults of all generations are savvy enough to recognize these things, but it only has to be 1 in a million that falls for it.​

As for the videos -- I'm glad that you like them so far.

Anyone else have thoughts on the first segment?

 

[rhett7660]

Nice little series you have going. Very well put together!

 

[Consultant]

Wow great video. Thanks!

What's the estimated target for the next release?

 

[JTTech]

Thanks!

To The Consultant (nice name): the episodes are being released one at a time. Here is the release schedule for the next few weeks:

Episode #1: The New Frontier (already out)
an intro to cybercrime and organized crime.

Episode #2: Formula 419 (released 6/2)
the story of real victims of a 419 scam.

Episode #3: This Time it's Personal (released 6/16)
How easy it is for cybercriminals to set up fake/scraped websites to get ahold of peoples' bank account pw's and other personal info.​

So these are the first 3...but we made 6 total episodes. If you go to the StopHCommerce site and click on "about HCommerce," near the top of the page, you'll see a whole list of all the episodes and their release dates.

***
The main thing that I've started to think about is...what about my parents?! They are fairly computer-literate, but still, I'm definitely going to have to check out their Wireless Network next time I visit.

Just out of curiosity, is your parents' WiFi network secure?

 

[Consultant]

Thanks.

The schedule isn't in an obvious place I guess so they can collect emails.

For better wifi security, use WPA2 encryption. But as long as they use windows, they are at much higher risk.

As for the name I thought of something generic (does not disclose any personal info), an actual word, but describes me and not taken. =)

 

[JTTech]

WPA2 is a great recommendation. It's amazing how many people just use the old WEP when they have stronger options.

I also disable ID Broadcasting, so that the network isn't as easy for random wanderers to stumble upon it.

Also some good news: I asked and if you submit it, they will only use your e-mail address to send you episode updates; not for anything else.

 

[nick9191]

Nice little series you have going on, a little too Fox News fear inciting, but still, not bad. I'd get that lot on YouTube, increase your target audience 10x fold.

 

[JTTech]

Definitely a good idea - we set up a YouTube channel that has shorter clips on it:
http://www.youtube.com/stophcommerce

And the StopHCommerce.com site is where we decided to put those long episodes w/ larger file sizes.

Great to here your recommendations--I mean there is always something to improve, so I'm all ears! Since the next one is coming out on Tuesday I'm interested to know what you guys think about it.

 

[Sidragon1]

Nice to see the documentary's made it here

Evening all

Nice to see that the StopHCommerce site being discussed here, couple of thoughts on the thread:

1. "how can anyone fall for the 419" Fairly easily I'm afraid. It's not all greed, and it's not all stupidity, too many people are too trusting, too few people understand the issues out on the Internet and the necessary caution that any interaction should be undertaken with. This topic could go on for a long time (and seeing as we deal with this on a regular basis I'm up for the discussion, especially if someone's got a solution/idea!)

2. Wireless, yes, the one in the film was open, however we've tested a similar set-up against a WEP encrypted system, it lasted just over 5 minuted (to be fair it was in use and we harvested the necessary number of packets to crack the key quickly)....however SOME encryption is better than none!

3. No mention of the Mac being used in the film? Damm.......considering it's the same one I am typing this on I'm devastated

'all for now, thanks for the thread and I hope eveyone likes it!

Chris
-the hairy one

 

[JTTech]

The second episode just came out this week, and it goes into much more detail about how this lady got wrapped up in the 419 scam, and how the scammers pulled it off.

So my question is, would you be able to get your mom/dad/older relatives to watch?

 

[Sidragon1]

Tie them down and force them

Not that I'd advocate violence (unless necessary) but I'd go out of my way to make sure as many people watch this as possible!

..somewhat biased, but it starts to open peoples eyes.

Chris

The second episode just came out this week, and it goes into much more detail about how this lady got wrapped up in the 419 scam, and how the scammers pulled it off.

So my question is, would you be able to get your mom/dad/older relatives to watch?

 

[JTTech]

Just wanted to ask, if we hosted a Tweet Chat related to some of the main topics brought up in the film (Cybercrime, phishing scams, etc.) what would you all be interested in talking about?

 

[dbernie41]

this is much more professional than i was expecting... great stuff