Two systems each from Compaq and Dell are being used.
--
PC WEEK LABS CHALLENGES HACKERS TO CRACK WEB SITE;
ESTABLISHES HACKPCWEEK.COM TO ASSESS SECURITY OF
WINDOWS NT AND RED HAT LINUX Systems
Story Filed: Monday, September 20, 1999 8:01 AM EST
FOSTER CITY, Calif., Sep 20, 1999 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- In a major test of the security of
Linux and Windows NT, PC Week Labs today threw down the gauntlet to Internet hackers,
challenging them to break into a Web site, hackpcweek.com, to try to crack each or both
of the operating systems. The site goes live today for a one-month trial.
The site contains near-identical systems, one running Windows NT with Internet Information Server
(IIS) and the other running Red Hat Linux 6.0 with Apache as its web server. PC Week Labs created
similar classified-ads engine applications running on each system. The challenge is to break into the
site, mark up the home page and steal user information from the classified-ads engine.
"Security is extremely important in the Internet environment and both Microsoft and the Linux
community, via Red Hat, boast that their operating systems are secure," noted PC Week Labs Director
John Taschek.
PC Week Labs will track the number of attempts for each operating system and report the results in
an upcoming issue of PC Week. Additionally, PC Week will issue a prize to whomever hacks into the
site first. The challenge terminates when the first hacker accomplishes any of the test challenges.
Winners will receive computer-equipment gift certificates of up to $1,000.
"Corporations, financial institutions and government agencies are susceptible from attack via the
Internet," Taschek said. He cited figures from a 1999 survey conducted by the Computer Security
Institute and the FBI indicating that organizations reporting their Internet connection as a frequent point
of attack rose for the third consecutive year to 57 percent in 1999 from 37 percent in 1996. Financial
losses due to computer security breaches were reported as exceeding $100 million this year.
Taschek also noted that, in recent weeks, the Nasdaq/Amex, the Drudge Report and ABC sites were
all hacked in someway. Each of these three web sites runs either Windows NT with IIS or Linux as
their front-line web servers.
The hackpcweek.com site, being hosted by AboveNet, a San Jose, Calif.-based Internet service
provider, is using Compaq and Dell two-way servers. PC Week Labs created similar applications
running on each system. For Windows NT, PC Week developed a classified ads engine based on a
Microsoft guest book application; for Linux, the Labs chose Smart Photo Ads, a popular classified-ads
engine for the platform.
In addition, the competition is "open" to the general public via the Internet so that people can view how
hacks are being made. Visitor interaction is encouraged and an online discussion database will track
users feelings about whether Windows or Linux has more open standards.
About PC Week PC Week reaches 400,000 core e-business IT buyers at 217, 000 Internet-connected
sites. These buyers purchase Internet and intranet products and services, networking and systems
products for their organizations. They have an average budget authority of $11.9 million. PC Week
delivers essential investigative news, solutions evaluation, and business strategy for those charged with
building .com enterprises. (Source: BPA)
About Ziff-Davis Ziff-Davis Inc. is a leading media and marketing company focused on computing and
Internet-related technologies, with principal platforms in print publishing, trade shows and conferences,
online content, television and education. Ziff-Davis provides global technology companies with
marketing strategies for reaching key decision-makers. Ziff-Davis has two series of common stock:
one which is intended to track the performance of its Internet business ZDNet, and one which is
intended to track the performance of the ZD Group, which includes print publishing, trade shows and
conferences, education, market research and television businesses and an 83 percent retained interest
in ZDNet.
SOURCE Ziff-Davis Inc. (C) 1999 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. prnewswire.com
CONTACT: Barry Zusman of Plesser Associates, 212-319-8383,
bzusman@plesser.com, for PC Week |
