Hackers Claim $10K Prize For StrongWebmail Breakin 193
alphadogg writes "Telesign, a provider of voice-based authentication software, challenged hackers to break into its StrongWebmail.com Web site late last week. The prize: $10,000. On Thursday, a group of security researchers claimed to have won the contest, which challenged hackers to break into the Web mail account of StrongWebmail CEO Darren Berkovitz and report back details from his June 26 calendar entry. The hackers, led by Secure Science Chief Scientist Lance James and security researchers Aviv Raff and Mike Bailey, provided details from Berkovitz's calendar to IDG News Service. In an interview, Berkovitz confirmed those details were from his account. However, Berkovitz could not confirm that the hackers had actually won the prize. He said he would need to check to confirm that the hackers had abided by the contest rules, adding, 'if someone did it, we'll kind of put our heads down.'"
Re:The Catch (Score:3, Funny)
Telesign, a provider of voice-based authentication software...
Sounds like something for protecting a phone system.
Re:This is obvious (Score:1, Funny)
, it still indicates that there is a weak link in the armor.
That's not the preferred nomenclature. Asian-american, please.
Re:Telegraphing (Score:5, Funny)
The size of the prize -- $10,000 -- indicates that the company thought it reasonably possible that they'd get hacked, and/or desired to avoid motivating any serious hacking attempt. Neither explanation gives me much confidence in their product.
And wow did it ever backfire. Normally they do these kinds of promotions in the hopes that nobody will bother, so that the company can later say "We offered a wheelbarrow of cash, and still nobody hacked us!". As if that was equivalent to a real security audit.
Perhaps they'll fix their software by simply offering a lower prize.
"Hack our software, and win a free small soda with purchase of any McDonald's value meal!"
Re:Blackjacking's been around for awhile (Score:5, Funny)
Hacking (or blackjacking, to use the vernacular) cells has been in existence for quite awhile, with probably Thai coders taking the lead, with Chinese, Americans, Germans and Brits coming up from the rear.....
That must be uncomfortable for the Thais...
... What? Oh! 'Coming up from the rear.' Forget I said anything.
Re:The Catch (Score:4, Funny)
Re:The Catch (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Hu? (Score:2, Funny)
...social engineering is a very legit way to hack a system
interesting - are there more legit ways to hack a system? I'd like to hack into this bank but preferably without breaking the law...