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Hackers target US security think tank (Stratfor)
AP ^ | 12/25/11 | CASSANDRA VINOGRAD

Posted on 12/25/2011 6:50:57 AM PST by markomalley

Hackers on Sunday claimed to have stolen 200 GB of e-mails and credit card data from United States security think tank Stratfor, promising a weeklong Christmas-inspired assault on a long list of targets.

Members of the loose hacking movement known as "Anonymous" posted a link on Twitter to what it said was Stratfor's secret client list - including the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, Goldman Sachs and MF Global.

"Not so private and secret anymore?," the group taunted in a message on the microblogging site.

Anonymous said it was able to get credit details, in part, because Stratfor didn't bother encrypting them - an easy-to-avoid blunder which - if true - would be a major embarrassment for any security company.

Stratfor said in an email to members that it had suspended its servers and email after learning that its website had been hacked.

(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: anonymous; anonymoushackers; hacker; hackers; internet; occupy; stratfor; theft

1 posted on 12/25/2011 6:50:58 AM PST by markomalley
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To: markomalley

They need to track these hackers down, arrest them and put them away for twenty or thirty years in general population.


2 posted on 12/25/2011 6:59:58 AM PST by Mmogamer (I refudiate the lamestream media, leftists and their prevaricutions.)
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To: Mmogamer

They might have finally screwed themselves with this stunt since the National Security Agency (or one of its sister agencies or affiliates) was undoubtedly a client and will quickly move to shut these cretins down for good, one way or the other.


3 posted on 12/25/2011 7:26:04 AM PST by Timber Rattler (Just say NO! to RINOS and the GOP-E)
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To: markomalley

“Loose hacking movement” - what happens when you start coughing when you’re going to the bathroom after eating some bad burritos.


4 posted on 12/25/2011 8:46:47 AM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: markomalley

I’m guessing the hackers have messed with the wrong people this time.

Shame on Stratfor for failing to encrypt their customers’ private information. There’s no excuse.


5 posted on 12/25/2011 8:47:53 AM PST by MV=PY (The Magic Question: Who's paying for it?)
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To: markomalley
“Anonymous said it was able to get credit details, in part, because Stratfor didn't bother encrypting them - an easy-to-avoid blunder which - if true - would be a major embarrassment for any security company.”

Hmmm, reminds me of Hansel und Gretel and their breadcrumbs.

6 posted on 12/25/2011 9:52:32 AM PST by Chgogal (WSJ, Kristol, Krauthammer, Rove et. al., STFU. Thank you.)
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To: Chgogal

That’s what I was thinking...what are the odds this is an operation in reverse?


7 posted on 12/25/2011 3:53:32 PM PST by Domestic Church (AMDG ... Merry Christmas!)
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To: Timber Rattler

So, and why should someone, which could live in some other country, care about the NSA? My internet provider here doesn’t even log IP adresses of the customers since it is not needed for flatrate accounts anymore and my country doesn’t extradict suspects to the USA because of the US’ obscure law system and the existence of the barbaric death penalty there.

BTW: Ever mentioned this? NSA -> Nazi SA, National Socialistic Agency. How funny *g*


8 posted on 12/26/2011 12:12:25 AM PST by anon-666
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To: anon-666

The NSA is the most powerful intelligence agency in the U.S., and its can do things technologically worldwide nobody else can. It has the capability to track you down, and then let other agencies do the dirty work. Look what happened to the wikileaks guy.


9 posted on 12/26/2011 3:34:24 AM PST by Timber Rattler (Just say NO! to RINOS and the GOP-E)
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To: anon-666

So, what is your country?

Different intelligence agencies across the Western world cooperate a lot more than most ignorant civilians would ever realize. In fact, I’m not sure I think it’s a good thing—too easy to lose our liberties...

But I know it’s true. I used to be a part of that. You’d be surprised at which countries are the most cooperative, too.


10 posted on 12/26/2011 4:31:42 AM PST by Alas Babylon!
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To: anon-666

Just joined hours ago to give us your opinion on “our Country’s” Progressivism? IBTZ. (For once).


11 posted on 12/26/2011 5:10:01 AM PST by Safetgiver (I'd rather die under a free American sky than live under a Socialist regime.)
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To: Safetgiver

“Your Country’s” Progressivism?


12 posted on 12/26/2011 5:10:56 AM PST by Safetgiver (I'd rather die under a free American sky than live under a Socialist regime.)
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To: markomalley

Yes, I got the notice in my e-mail. I was quite shocked. But don’t know why I should be. Have posted their briefings here over the years.

However, it was ironic to me that this Security Briefing Global Intel Company used by government, business and media [and yes personal] interests reaching all over the globe should, itself fall, under such a “security attack”.

The Hackers picked a well known US-based security think tank business site with a vast network of “professional” paid subscribers where credit cards would be used for payments..

At least Stratfor quickly sent out mass notifications and subscribers did not have to first read about it in the news if potentially harmed. They included the steps to be followed which were obvious in notification of a customer’s banking locations immediately.

Update: Anonymous denies Stratfor hack
http://www.tgdaily.com/security-features/60413-anonymous-denies-stratfor-hack


13 posted on 12/26/2011 8:56:29 AM PST by fight_truth_decay
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To: MV=PY
In this case sadly, there is always a better mousetrap.

Our educational system is so lacking in building bright and better students for the foreseeable future compared to other countries in fields of engineering, science; etc. We build the iPads, the Apples, etc of the world, but the users on different shores, not always friendly, can be smarter in their adaptation and its usage thereof. The US is so focused on Entertainment while other countries build their strength in these fields with advanced education in order to survive a very threatening world where dominance becomes a global board game. We are now rated "average" compared to or ranked 14th by the OECD.

I remember a story run some years back where a administrative person or teacher in some college, univ; did not want a particular Industry/telecoms/Internet coming into their place of "higher learning" to guide and teach the students useful knowledge that would help them gain successful employment after graduation. That teacher did not want a company to be training what should the "free thinking" of her students. [for lack of a better word].

Perhaps industry should set up their own institutes of higher learning for those who have an interests,foresight or gifts along a related line of education to match their industry. A parent is aware of his or her children's strengths/gifts from an early age and has become completely frustrated to see what is natural inclination to learn on whatever task, fall along the way side by tax payer dollars funded inept Dept. of Education, government run programs and teachers who lack the skills and intellect to teach[ as they fall victim to the education given to them].

Academia, the Teachers vs the Doers, Inventors is so separated in reality.

Education as it is today is so failing our students who cannot now compete scholastically with countries who spend far less per student [my re tax bill goes in great majority to the school district]; but graduate a better "product" for their country's future..which makes for an even weaker America.

14 posted on 12/26/2011 9:31:03 AM PST by fight_truth_decay
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To: MV=PY

Unless the hackers stole “bait” data.


15 posted on 12/26/2011 1:41:10 PM PST by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
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To: Army Air Corps

That would be truly sweet!

Unfortunately, it looks like there are real cc holders being hit.


16 posted on 12/26/2011 5:43:44 PM PST by MV=PY (The Magic Question: Who's paying for it?)
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