Hackers Invade Computers of Large Hadron Collider

As the initial particles started circulating inside the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in the 2nd week of September 2008, a gang of hackers identifying themselves as the "Greek Security Team" invaded computer systems located in CERN's (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), Geneva, Switzerland facility. The facility houses the world's largest particle accelerator, the LHC, as reported by The Telegraph on September 12, 2008.

Also, the miscreants were reportedly aiming at the CMS (Compact Solenoid Experiment), a device employed in tests to keep track on a variety of particles as well as phenomena generated in high energy collisions in the LHC.

Moreover, the gang warned the CERN engineers through an e-mail that read, "We are 2600-don't mess with us". '2600' is a US magazine released every quarter that attracts hackers worldwide as it publishes technical facts about the Internet, telephone switching mechanisms, and various technologies along with computer-related news.

Security specialists state that the hacking attempt apparently occurred during September 9-10, 2008 following the official switch-on of the LHC.

As the LHC was reviving on September 10, 2008, CMS engineers hunted computers for six files that hackers uploaded. Security experts said that the attackers defaced in the usual way by switching out malware-infected files. However, checking of the systems revealed that there were no other malware-infected files on the cmcmon.cern.ch site that was restored but cut off from public access.

However, CERN scientists stated that no severe damage was done. Luckily, it occurred to just one file, however, the break-in aroused security concerns, especially because the intruders managed to penetrate very close to the computer control system of the CMS. It also inicates that the hackers reached so close that they could switch off certain CMS controls.

Graham Cluley, Security Researcher, Sophos, said that considering the enormity of interest and the vastness of the LHC's task, it was highly disturbing that the hackers managed to compromise its site and changed data. He also said that the miscreants could have installed malicious code that might grab identities by infecting millions of visitors, as reported by ScientificAmerican on September 12, 2008.

Related article: Hackers Redirect Windows Live Search to Malicious Sites

» SPAMfighter News - 23-09-2008

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