| Author | Message | ||
     Damnut |
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24510864/wid/11915829? GT1=40006 Hackers try to cause seizures on epilepsy site Web forum bombarded with links to pages with rapidly flashing images SAN FRANCISCO - Computer attacks typically don't inflict physical pain on their victims. But in a rare example of an attack apparently motivated by malice rather than money, hackers recently bombarded the Epilepsy Foundation's Web site with hundreds of pictures and links to pages with rapidly flashing images. The breach triggered severe migraines and near-seizure reactions in some site visitors who viewed the images. People with photosensitive epilepsy can get seizures when they're exposed to flickering images, a response also caused by some video games and cartoons. The attack happened when hackers exploited a security hole in the foundation's publishing software that allowed them to quickly make numerous posts and overwhelm the site's support forums. Within the hackers' posts were small flashing pictures and links — masquerading as helpful — to pages that exploded with kaleidoscopic images pulsating with different colors. "They were out to create seizures," said Ken Lowenberg, senior director of Web and print publishing for the foundation. He said legitimate users are no longer able to post animated images to the support forum or create direct links to other sites, and it is now moderated around the clock. He said the FBI is investigating the breach. Security experts said the attack highlights the dangers of Web sites giving visitors great freedom to post content to different parts of the site. In another recent attack, hackers exploited a simple coding vulnerability in Sen. Barack Obama's Web site to redirect users visiting the community blogs section to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's official campaign site. The hackers who infiltrated the Epilepsy Foundation's site didn't appear to care about profit. The harmful pages didn't appear to try to push down code that would allow the hacker to gain control of the victims' computers, for instance. "I count this in the same category of teenagers who think it's funny to put a cat in a bag and throw it over a clothesline — they don't realize how cruel it is," said Paul Ferguson, a security researcher at antivirus software maker Trend Micro Inc. "It was an opportunity waiting to happen for some mean-spirited kid." In a similar attack this year, a piece of malicious code was released that disabled software that reads text aloud from a computer screen for blind and visually impaired people. That attack appeared to have been designed to cripple the computers of people using illegal copies of the software, researchers said. | ||
| Darthane |
-=shakes head=- People like that should be shot, pure and simple. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. ...one can dream, right? | ||
| Xl1200r |
I'd bet that if someone had a seizure because of it, smacked their head just right and killed or crippled them, the hackers would be facing criminal charges including murder, attemped or otherwise. Probably not as funny at that point. Still - I'm not sure the purpose of causing harm to someone jsut for fun. I mean, if there was money involved, then yeah, I can see the drive (not agree, just see it). But just for kicks? That's just sick. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
It happens here at BADWEB.....  http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=4062&post=1136726#POST1136726 | ||
| Midknyte |
That's just sick it's also just friggen ingenious | ||
| Hammeroid |
ha ha. I can't stop laughing. | ||
| Damnut |
I thought it was a pretty mean thing to do but I have to admit that I did laugh when I first read it. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
have you seen microsoft media player? that kaliedoscope there is trance inducing, esp when thumpin the house techno..... Hackers, put a bounty on their head and let them kill each other off. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
There in NOTHING funnier than your brother/sister falling down, bumping there head, running into something..... Its all hee hee haa haa until you see the blood.... then ya really bust a gut laughing.... | ||
| Igneroid |
Jokin around is one thing. To cause distress to anyone via whatever means, aint really that funny. Related joke... What do you call seven epileptics in a vegtable garden??? Seizure salad. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
then ya really bust a gut laughing.... LOL  I guess you are going to be with me on my trip to hell... I'm going FIRST CLASS  | ||
| Hammeroid |
What, no Chuck Norris reference? You guys are slackin" | ||
| Greenlantern |
Chuck Norris has your seizure right here......  | ||
| Hammeroid |
hah. Thank you. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
What's next? An ex-American Idol contestant getting arrested for sending sexual text messages to 10 year olds?? WAIT!.... That happened last night. | ||
| Swordsman |
Heh, this thread reminds me of the Pokemon episode that, when 1st aired in Japan, sent ~500 Japanese kids into seizures. Fun stuff! I likey the flashy, myself! That hacker is evil. With a sense of humor. nasty combo. ~SM | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
You mean this episode? WARNING Don't watch if you are susceptible | ||
| Thumper74 |
I remember seeing the seizure warning on videogmaes back in the day. I guess people that sre susceptible to the flashing shouldn't ride bikes due to the flashing of going past trees/fences, etc can cause them to go into a seizure | ||
| Birdy |
Naw Thumper, more likely the flashing of Red and Blue lights behind you! |
