Herbless, the hacker who defaced the websites of HSBC, Legoland and 450 others as part of the fuel protest in the last month, has announced his sudden exit from the hacking scene.
vnunet.com, 21 Sep 2000
Herbless, the hacker who defaced the websites of HSBC, Legoland and 450 others as part of the fuel protest in the last month, has announced his sudden exit from the hacking scene.
Speaking exclusively to vnunet.com, Herbless said: "For various reasons that may or may not become apparent, I have left the hacking scene for good. You won't hear of any more defacements by Herbless. Let's just say that it is the price of freedom, and is worth paying."
Yesterday, Herbless attacked HSBC's UK website and three of its international sites as part of an ongoing campaign in support of the fuel protest.
Although no customer data was accessed during the attack, because it is stored on different servers, experts said the incident cast doubts over the company's security policy.
Other sites defaced by Herbless included those run by Specsavers and eight local authority or UK government agencies including Sheffield City Council.
Herbless has always maintained that he was an "ethical" hacker who was not interested in causing any long-term damage. Among a peer group who often post juvenile or offensive messages onto their targets, Herbless said he had not altered the data of any website he attacked, and always explained to the relevant administrator how each vandalised website could be easily restored.
In what will now be known as his last post, he set out the following guidelines for fellow hackers:
Although many hackers argue that they are merely airing grievances rather than causing malicious damage, website administrators may unwittingly find themselves subject to libel action if their web pages carry defamatory material.
While security has always been an issue, the ability of organisations and individuals to keep their confidential data safe not only from prying eyes but also from attack is becoming an ever greater concern. The problem is becoming particularly marked as the world becomes more networked and companies conduct increasing amounts of business over the internet. Here we look at a range of issues that are starting to affect every one of us.
The external supplier believed to be responsible for managing the areas of HSBC's website vandalised by a hacker this week has been criticised in connection with the incident.
HSBC's UK internet site and three of its international sites have been hacked as part of an ongoing campaign in support of the fuel protest.
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