Hackers try to crack council systems

[InfoSec News <isn () C4I ORG>]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,593385a28,FF.html

TUESDAY, 16 JANUARY 2001

The Ashburton library and council computer systems were victim to
"mischief making" as hackers attempted to enter the council systems.

While investigations were still being carried out by the police,
Ashburton District Council corporate services manager John Rollinson
said it appeared the computer hacking and library break-in were
connected and an act of "mischief making".

Mr Rollinson said Friday's incidents had the potential to have been
quite damaging.

He said one or two people seemed to have been involved in breaching
security on the public access computers in the library about 4pm on
Friday.

The computer hackers loaded a screen saver and protected it with a
password.

While they hacked into part of the internet that looks at council
systems they were only able to access the profile of the computer they
were sitting at.

"They passed the internet face at that terminal but were not able to
look any further at anything of any significance," Mr Rollinson said.

The computer intruders also breached security in parts of the library
building as they gained access to staff-only sections.

The public access computers were located downstairs in the library but
access had been gained to the first floor where the intruders entered
a cupboard, pulled out wires, and changed wire connectors.

They also entered staff-only areas upstairs.

Mr Rollinson said that as a result of the incidents the council had
increased security. NZPA

ISN is hosted by SecurityFocus.com
---
To unsubscribe email LISTSERV () SecurityFocus com with a message body of
"SIGNOFF ISN".