FBI Says Iraq Situation May Spur 'Patriotic Hackers'

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64049-2003Feb12.html

By David Pace
Associated Press Writer
February 12, 2003

WASHINGTON -- Real patriots don't hack. Uncle Sam says only he can do
that.

The FBI's National Infrastructure Protection Center warned Wednesday
that growing tensions between the United States and Iraq could lead to
an increase in global computer hacking activities on both sides.

"Regardless of the motivation, the NIPC reiterates such activity is
illegal and punishable as a felony," the agency warns on its Web site.  
"The U.S. government does not condone so-called 'patriot hacking' on
its behalf.

"Further, even 'patriotic hackers' can be fooled into launching
attacks against their own interests by exploiting malicious code that
purports to attack the other side when in fact it is designed to
attack the interests of the side sending it," the agency said. "In
this and other ways, 'patriotic hackers' risk becoming tools of their
enemy."

The warning comes less than a week after administration officials
confirmed that President Bush had signed a secret order allowing the
government to develop guidelines under which the United States could
launch cyber attacks against foreign computer systems.

The United States has never conducted a large-scale cyber attack, but
officials said last month that the administration's unfolding cyber
stategy will specify that the Defense Department can wage cyber
warfare if the nation is attacked.

The NIPC warning doesn't address the government's role in such
attacks, but it makes it clear that individual attacks on computer
networks are illegal, regardless of the motivation. The agency
specifically cited patriot hackers who target Iraq or its
sympathizers, hackers opposed to war who target U.S. systems, and
those who would use the crisis as a guise to further personal goals.

"As tensions arise, it is prudent to be aware of and prepare for this
type of activity," the agency said.

NIPC said computer network administrators and computer users should
take precautions to guard against cyber attacks while tensions between
the United States and Iraq are high.

--- 
On the Net:

NIPC: http://www.nipc.gov/warnings/advisories/2003/03-002.htm



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