Internet Security, Hacking and Indymedia

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday June 11, 2002 12:16 by Hack Head

Protect Yourself Against Hackers!

The recent posting on Indymedia which dealt with hacking and internet security was interesting to read. I have a keen interest in Internet Security and hacking, probably more a hobby now that anything else. When discussing an issue like this the “SPOOK” factor tends to creep in to peoples mind. Don’t forget that hacking is a Cyber Culture with many aspects to it. It can be great fun so don’t go freaking yourself out about it. And before you go calling me paranoid, freaked out, lefty, or SWP, none of that is applicable to me.

Indymedia Ireland now presents the authorities with a very effective intelligence gathering information network. From the comfort on their offices desks they are able extract information within minutes that would normally take days or months, and cost thousands of pounds if they did it “the old fashion way”. I ask you the question – If the authorities came knocking on your front door looking for personal information from you PC would you give it to them? Answer: No you would not. Hacking is essential this. The main difference is you don’t know they are calling, been in and left. Hacking of ones PC is a civil liberties issue. You have the right to conduct your private, social, and business matters on your PC without intrusion.

I noticed the period preceding the MayDay events saw an unusual amount of intrusions on my PC. Each time I logged onto indymedia Ireland I was hacked with minutes, even seconds. I have been monitoring the IP Address and networks intruding my system from indymedia and a repetition of numbers are appearing. Most of the attacks where “high security” intrusions - simply meaning information retrieval was the purpose.

Education is the key to internet security:

Firewall Software was the biggest selling software for the PC World last year, while Compustore and other leading retailers showed high sales. Strangely enough, as a nation we seem to be clued in to this. Irish Companies both big and small have invested vast sums of money protecting themselves from hackers. If you do not have a certain level of protection, you are a sitting duck. To have a good level of security on your system you will require 4 software programs. (Do a search in www.google.com and you will find links to them. There is free Demo downloads available).

1. Zone Alarm - Firewall Protection against information retrieval

2. Anti-Virus - Stops spy and virus programs

3. Visual Route Tracker – Tracking the IP Address of intruders. From this you can get a huge amount of information about how is hacking you.

4. Private File – This is the ultimate file protection when sending emails or attachments. You can encrypt any files with 8 alphanumeric or 16 Hexadecimal keys. There is a free full version available at http://www.rits.ie

If you have doubts about what I am saying, just simply install a firewall and an IP tracker, visit indymedia.ie/org/ and watch your firewall pop up window dance like a ballet fairy around your monitor.

Internet security does not have to be a problem, nor should it be. Protect yourself with the latest security software and explore the cyber culture of hacking. Knowledge is power. Have fun and enjoy. SPOOK!