Call centre hackers spark terror probe

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://www.examiner.ie/pport/web/ireland/Full_Story/did-sgGzwu4-6t9Cksg0aewFBADppk.asp

By Sean O'Riordan
10/07/03

GARDA anti-terrorism officers are investigating a hacking operation at
an Irish call centre which saw 700 calls made to several Islamic
countries, including Afghanistan.

They are concerned why anyone would engage in such a complex computer
hacking operation for the sake of saving several thousand euro.

The calls were made to countries all over the Mideast. Calls were also
made to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal and Gambia, prompting fears
terrorists may have been using the operation to send data to
operatives.

It is unclear how many of the 700 connections were voice calls or data
transfers. The probe was launched after a US -owned company, Cascade
Designs, based in Midleton, Co Cork, reported its call centre was
hacked by outside sources last weekend.

Anti-terrorism gardaí and IT experts are being drafted in from garda
headquarters in Dublin to help with the investigation. It is also
understood that military intelligence officers are conducting an
inquiry.

"We are not making any judgments until all the facts have been
established and the matter fully investigated," a senior garda
spokesman said.

An Army spokesman said it was concerned about the destination of the
calls, especially as worldwide terrorist activity was being generated
in some of the countries mentioned.

"We have to draw a conclusion if this was an innocent activity then
why were these people using clandestine means to do it," the spokesman
said.

Gardaí were alerted after the firm's elephone service-provider,
WorldCom, noticed a vastly different pattern in the calls emanating
from its European headquarters in Midleton, Co Cork.

Cascade Designs, which employs 100 people and manufactures outdoor
pursuits equipment, services customers based in Europe. Hundreds of
calls to "outside" areas sent alarm bells ringing.

Cascade Designs general manager Joe McSweeney confirmed since last
weekend's incident they had installed new security systems to prevent
a reoccurrence. The call centre operation was closed when internet
hackers broke into the system.

"There was definitely more than one call being carried out at a time.  
Lots of the calls were made simultaneously," Mr McSweeney said.

"I would strongly advise all companies to check the security of their
telephone systems in addition to their computer networks," he added.

 

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