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Hacking Bogus Bank Websites
A competition has evolved...
Taking down bogus bank websites has become the hobby du jour for young script kiddies with a sense of ethics, notes Netcraft. The sites you would visit if you had clicked on that e-mail from a bank (you've never heard of) are being defaced, and replaced with wallpapers taking credit for the takedown. One group even offers a variety of premade wallpapers for the task.
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pinoy76
join:2003-11-08
Twentynine Palms, CA

pinoy76

Member

Good clean fun

I think this is a great idea, but is it still against the law? I think it's better than these guys hacking "real" sites that would get them into real trouble and cause real damage. These scam sites deserve this, by all means, but I am still unsure as to the legality of it all.

vpoko
Premium Member
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA

vpoko

Premium Member

Re: Good clean fun

I'm sure it is still against the law, but the "victims" have no recourse because they themselves are guilty of something even worse. Plus, I can't imagine prosecutors trying too hard for a conviction in this case.

DaveDude
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey

DaveDude

Member

Re: Good clean fun

i dont think its really that bad, someone has to police the net, and if these people are helping others by taking them down i dont have a problem with it.

vpoko
Premium Member
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA

vpoko

Premium Member

Re: Good clean fun

I agree. I'm just saying technically it would be a crime. The internet is like the wild west because the majority doesn't understand it. While I normally don't support vigilante justice, script kiddies are almost always more effective than our law enforcement at dealing with internet threats.

wwdubbia
join:2002-06-03
Clinton, NY

wwdubbia

Member

Re: Good clean fun

said by vpoko:

I agree. I'm just saying technically it would be a crime. The internet is like the wild west because the majority doesn't understand it. While I normally don't support vigilante justice, script kiddies are almost always more effective than our law enforcement at dealing with internet threats.
Is shooting a bank robber a crime? Most would laud them as a hero... I'd bet they could argue self defense...

TechyDad
Premium Member
join:2001-07-13
USA

TechyDad

Premium Member

Re: Good clean fun

Yet, I'm sure the bank robber would find himself a lawyer and sue the shooter possibly winning (or at least making the shooter's life a living hell for awhile).

guitarzan
Premium Member
join:2004-05-04
Skytop, PA

1 edit

guitarzan

Premium Member

Re: Good clean fun

Funny how the woim toins lol
guitarzan

1 recommendation

guitarzan to TechyDad

Premium Member

to TechyDad
said by TechyDad:

Yet, I'm sure the bank robber would find himself a lawyer and sue the shooter possibly winning (or at least making the shooter's life a living hell for awhile).
2 Shots center of mass + one to the head.That bank robber ain't gonna get up to get a lawyer,to sue you for criminal or civil damages.First.You had Better be damn sure,That your life was in serious,Grave danger.If So you will win.
Because Round 1.You win the armed encounter
Round 2.The criminal well cannot possibly
bring any type of charges against you
Round 3.Have complete evidence in a court of
law you were in emminent danger or
your family was.It will be a clear case
of self defense.PROVIDED the bank
robber turned his weapon on you.

BTW: I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6
moonpuppy (banned)
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD

moonpuppy (banned)

Member

Re: Good clean fun

said by guitarzan:

Round 2.The criminal well cannot possibly
bring any type of charges against you
No, but the family can cry enough on TV to push someone to charge you. Seem it way too many times.

guitarzan
Premium Member
join:2004-05-04
Skytop, PA

guitarzan

Premium Member

Re: Good clean fun

said by moonpuppy:

said by guitarzan:

Round 2.The criminal well cannot possibly
bring any type of charges against you
No, but the family can cry enough on TV to push someone to charge you. Seem it way too many times.
I agree with you.I would expect grieving family members thats only natural.When one see's the exploitation of such a
tragic series of events,leading to the death of a violent criminal.Then to have it nationalized by a tv show,That do not
tell all the events that took place.Just to make the
deceased look more upstanding (with high community values)than the person who honestly and legally defended themselves. Sheesh whats the world coming to an end.?

SKiPDoG916
@104.xx.66.ptr.us.xo.

1 recommendation

SKiPDoG916 to TechyDad

Anon

to TechyDad
yes but as long as you do it right, "Dead people make poor witnesses"

vpoko
Premium Member
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA

1 edit

vpoko to wwdubbia

Premium Member

to wwdubbia
said by wwdubbia:

Is shooting a bank robber a crime?
Depends on where you live. In my state (Massachusetts) it might be a crime if you didn't have a reason to fear serious injury or loss of life to yourself or others, AND if you hadn't first tried all avenues of escape before opening fire. In Massachusetts, crimes against property are not, by themselves, reasons to use deadly force.

trusteR
@adsl.cybercity.dk

trusteR to wwdubbia

Anon

to wwdubbia
Script kiddies, please. You really think kids would be this organized?

TechyDad
Premium Member
join:2001-07-13
USA

TechyDad to vpoko

Premium Member

to vpoko
I agree. It is still illegal, but it's not an activity that's likely to result in any convictions. Now if you're hacking legitimate sites as well (or you aren't careful and accidentally target a legitimate site), then you could face charges.

I really don't see how a phishing site could complain to the police that their illegal harvesting of personal information was being hampered by the script kiddie. Then again, some crooks are just plain dumb.
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

Kearnstd to pinoy76

Premium Member

to pinoy76
when the crime outweighs the police ability to remove it the people take care of the crime. upside here is no guns are involved and the scumbags doing the ID theft learn a lesson that when you screw with people online, there is a limited few who screw back.

packetscan
Premium Member
join:2004-10-19
Bridgeport, CT

packetscan to pinoy76

Premium Member

to pinoy76
Hey brother glad people see it our way.

Personal when i get a spam about a mortgage offer that is my trigger. I find the Host, registrar, DNS provider, etc. Find everyone that is involved. Then i compile all my data and email it to the respected parties. I've found with legitimate hosts these sites are off almost instantly. Point being the more people that do this the less the un(techie) will get hurt. We stand together or we fall together!

tapeloop
Not bad at all, really.
Premium Member
join:2004-06-27
Airstrip One

tapeloop to pinoy76

Premium Member

to pinoy76
So if the people who run the phishing sites feel like they're due compensation for damages incurred by hacking, by all means let them file complaint forms--in person at their local FBI branch using their real name, address and phone number.

wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY

wifi4milez to pinoy76

Member

to pinoy76
I actually question how this is against the law. The scammers are not operating a legitimate business, and the website(fake) is more than likely hosted off shore. Based on this I dont think there is a punishable offence occurring here. I liken this to the good Samaritan who pays a drug dealer in monopoly money and then throws the drugs into a river. What would the drug dealer (have a lawyer) charge the good Samaritan with? Either way, WAY TO GO GUYS!!!:D
moonpuppy (banned)
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD

moonpuppy (banned)

Member

Re: Good clean fun

said by wifi4milez:

I actually question how this is against the law. The scammers are not operating a legitimate business, and the website(fake) is more than likely hosted off shore. Based on this I dont think there is a punishable offence occurring here. I liken this to the good Samaritan who pays a drug dealer in monopoly money and then throws the drugs into a river. What would the drug dealer (have a lawyer) charge the good Samaritan with? Either way, WAY TO GO GUYS!!!:D
It is called vigilantism and it is against the law. You can defend yourself when you are in immediate bodily danger but not fight back.

I don't disagree with you one bit that these sites should be fair game BUT who is to say a site is malicious or not? Maybe it is a honeypot designed to catch people who are being stupid (by going to these sites) or to catch the scammers themselves.
said by guitarzan:

I agree with you.I would expect grieving family members thats only natural.When one see's the exploitation of such a
tragic series of events,leading to the death of a violent criminal.Then to have it nationalized by a tv show,That do not
tell all the events that took place.Just to make the
deceased look more upstanding (with high community values)than the person who honestly and legally defended themselves. Sheesh whats the world coming to an end.?
"You are no longer responsible for your own actions."

That is what this world is coming to. Most of these scammers have no morals whatsoever but once they get caught on the other-side, they love to whine. They get arrested and they cry about police brutality as they try to beat up the cops.

a
@qwest.net

a to pinoy76

Anon

to pinoy76
ahhh, it's nice to be computer literate.

bistro777
Donuts-Is There Anything They Can't Do?
Premium Member
join:2002-02-07
Englewood, CO

bistro777

Premium Member

Please to be clicking on here

Deer customehr of our banc:

We are liking to confirm to you to us the acount number and passwording today you use. We are needing this information to keep to you safe from bad peeple. Please to be clicking on here rite now and to be entering all your most personal data.

[signed]
You banc frend

P.S. Kudos to those who take-down these scummy thieves...

"The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind." - - Humphrey Bogart

jmycknshk
...bring your green hat
join:2004-07-02
West Chester, PA

jmycknshk

Member

Re: Please to be clicking on here

that's some good engrish right there...

bistro777
Donuts-Is There Anything They Can't Do?
Premium Member
join:2002-02-07
Englewood, CO

bistro777

Premium Member

Re: Please to be clicking on here

Sanctuary much!

"I have nothing to say and I am saying it." -- John Cage

Dennis
Mod
join:2001-01-26
Algonquin, IL

Dennis

Mod

bogus?

I guess it's possible...I just don't think this is real.

Would be pretty cool if it was though....
cbiggers
join:2000-08-10
San Luis Obispo, CA

cbiggers

Member

Re: bogus?

said by Dennis:

I guess it's possible...I just don't think this is real.

Would be pretty cool if it was though....
Check out:

»www.419eater.com/forum
»www.aa419.org
»www.419legal.org

Lots more links you can find from those sites...
moonpuppy (banned)
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD

moonpuppy (banned)

Member

The irony.......

Oh the irony.

Now begins the online hacker wars. Cyber crooks wanting to phish vs. script kiddies with morals.
russotto
join:2000-10-05
West Orange, NJ

russotto

Member

Against the law?

Maybe, but if I were on a jury I'd never vote to convict.

It's along the lines of tearing down "street spam" (those signs attached illegally to utility poles, "LOSE WEIGHT FAST", "WE BUY HOMES", "FINALLY..." and such) and scams posted on (physical) bulletin boards.

rovernet
Premium Member
join:2004-02-11
Richardson, TX

rovernet

Premium Member

It's hillarious

Whether it's legal or not, it's refreshingly funny.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

finally...

someone talking positive about the script kiddies. if this really happens, then go script kiddies.

danag42
join:2000-02-02
Worcester, MA

danag42

Member

It's about time

Well, it's time someone with some ethics jumps in and takes up the fight. Legal or not, I think it's hilarious! And they're protecting non-computer savvy people from being hurt. What could be bad bout that?
dick white
Premium Member
join:2000-03-24
Springfield, VA

1 recommendation

dick white

Premium Member

legalities...

The police and government prosecutors can only take you in for crimes committed against society, where the social order has been established through the legislative or judicial process. (For example, a rape is technically a crime against the state, though the act clearly was committed against the woman victim...). Police and prosecutors can exercise some discretion to not go after every little thing. Maybe they'd let this go too?

Individual persons (and business entities are a form of "person") can initiate civil action against another for personal damages outside of the criminal system. (Continuing the example, the rape victim could seek monetary compensation against rapist for the personal trauma, etc. in addition to the criminal prosecution by the state.) Thus, the bogus bank sites could sue the script kiddies for damages. However, in civil litigation over business losses, there is a "clean hands" doctrine. Your own hands must be clean in the deal before you can seek damages for the other guy's dirt. Thus the phishing sites wouldn't be able to make their case.

The only winner here would be the IRS. It is a tax rule that regardless of the illegality of your "enterprise," you owe taxes on your income from it. Remember Al Capone? The only thing they were ever able to stick on him was income tax evasion.

dw
gateguy
Premium Member
join:2001-02-12
Reisterstown, MD

1 recommendation

gateguy

Premium Member

Phishing

Whenever I receive an Phishing email. I intentionally go to the site. I put in a user ID and password. I provides all sorts of data. The only issue the Phisher will have is that all of the data is garbage. I just try to make it look legit. I then add about 10 more entries into his database.

If we enter enough garbage into their databases, they will soon learn that they can not trust their own data.

My goal: TRASH THEIR DATA!
Nanaki (banned)
aka novaflare. pull punches? Na
join:2002-01-24
Akron, OH

Nanaki (banned)

Member

Re: Phishing

said by gateguy:

Whenever I receive an Phishing email. I intentionally go to the site. I put in a user ID and password. I provides all sorts of data. The only issue the Phisher will have is that all of the data is garbage. I just try to make it look legit. I then add about 10 more entries into his database.

If we enter enough garbage into their databases, they will soon learn that they can not trust their own data.

My goal: TRASH THEIR DATA!
Create a php script on a web site and link it to your forum signitures. Have users click your signiture. On the main page of your phishing data polution site you have a doesnt buttons or so with known phishing links. Clicking a buttont fill sout the forum 100 times with bogus data and submits it. Use 100 first names 100 last names 100 usernames 100 pass words. Each click on the button randomly generates a combo of these from word lists. You want to polute these guys data this will do a killer job of it. Just think 100 clicks a week = 10k bogus database entries.
cbiggers
join:2000-08-10
San Luis Obispo, CA

cbiggers

Member

Not script kiddies

The netcraft article makes no mention of script kiddies, yet this article does? The Lad Wrecking Crew are hardly script kiddies. The sites that are also being taken down are ones used by scam artists, and usually the victims have been taken in by a 419 scam, and they are being referred to that bank to make their initial deposit/etc whatever the scam artist can convince them to do to put their account information in there.

RadioDoc

join:2000-05-11
La Grange, IL

RadioDoc

Re: Not script kiddies

said by cbiggers:

The netcraft article makes no mention of script kiddies, yet this article does? The Lad Wrecking Crew are hardly script kiddies.
Oh there you go asking for accurate reporting around here. That ship pulled out of this port long ago.

"Script kiddies" rouses much more of the rabble than the facts.
cbiggers
join:2000-08-10
San Luis Obispo, CA

cbiggers

Member

Re: Not script kiddies

I was going to mention the accurate reporting issue, but last time I was lamented since this is a free site. Being free doesn't mean journalism basics go out the window.

EGeezer
Premium Member
join:2002-08-04
Midwest

2 edits

EGeezer

Premium Member

Just out of curiosity... wallpaper files ?

Didn't D/L any - anyone check them out to see if they are legit - or have any malware in them?

EDIT - look like plain ol' JPGs - scanned clean here...
cbiggers
join:2000-08-10
San Luis Obispo, CA

cbiggers

Member

Re: Just out of curiosity... wallpaper files ?

said by EGeezer:

Didn't D/L any - anyone check them out to see if they are legit - or have any malware in them?

EDIT - look like plain ol' JPGs - scanned clean here...
The Lad Wrecking Crew have been around for a while, and that server also hosts a variety of other 419 related anti scam efforts...

Glaice
Brutal Video Vault
Premium Member
join:2002-10-01
North Babylon, NY

Glaice to EGeezer

Premium Member

to EGeezer
Funny wallpapers

Die scammers, die!

Anonymous_
Anonymous
Premium Member
join:2004-06-21
127.0.0.1

1 edit

Anonymous_

Premium Member

i think this is fine

as long as the keep it to the bogus sites they should be fine

and keep it clean and not do the real sites
(at lest there takeing them down before some 1 lose the $$)
Thatgeekinit
join:2002-05-01
Washington, DC

Thatgeekinit

Member

It could be sorta legal

Well just like any other criminal enterprise they are basically on their own. When two criminals commit crimes against one another generally neither one is going to ask the authorities for help. Its not wrong to steal from a thief.

Right on
@comcast.net

Right on

Anon

Excellent!

The guys using your skills to take down bogus banks and scammers is great! Its a great service your providing for the rest of the interent.

pinoy76
join:2003-11-08
Twentynine Palms, CA

pinoy76

Member

Re: Excellent!

I agree... While possibly illegal, it is a great service nonetheless. I just don't know what the "interent" is...?


Justsome guy
@comcast.net

Justsome guy

Anon

Here's one

In case any hackers are playing along at home, here is a site that I think many credit unions would not mind seeing shut down.
»www.upd498734534.home.ro ··· 7453.htm

Give 'er yer best kiddies!

Very truly yours,
The Duke