Hackers create havoc after terror attacks

ALKHOBAR, 14 October — In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, incidents of politically motivated computer hacking and cracking have increased. I’d hoped that Muslims would have more sense than to participate in such a negative and illegal activity, but I was disappointed.

Online visitors to the Muslim Hackers’ Club are greeted with an explosion and a simulated ball of flame. Just clicking on the headings "Hacking" and "Viruses," leads to hundreds of pages of detailed instructions — most taken from US hacking sites — on how to break into computer systems and cause unimaginable damage. Among the offerings are an anarchist’s cookbook, advice on how to crash a system and Secret Service code names.

"We think it’s time for Muslims on the web, knowledgeable of hacking, virus making, and all those fringe matters, to... share their knowledge," says the three-year-old site’s welcome message.

But the Muslim hackers are definitely not alone in their nefarious activities. The Young Intelligent Hackers Against Terrorism were out last Tuesday damaging websites all over the Net. This hacking group was founded on Sept. 15 by Kim Schmitz, a convicted cyber criminal. Schmitz, was jailed for hacking NASA, Pentagon and Citibank systems in the early 1990s.

Soon after the Young Intelligent Hackers site was erected it was rated a "cool pick." This indicates that the number of folks living in "stupidityland" must be on the increase. The original stated mission of the group was to "kill the money sources of terror." I haven’t the slightest idea how online defacement would achieve that goal. Schmitz, who is now a multimillionaire, has also announced on the site a $10 million reward for "information leading directly to the apprehension or conviction of Osama Bin Laden and/or his cells."

Last week, Schmitz claimed that the Young Intelligent Hackers breached the name server and firewall of the Al-Shamal Islamic Bank in Sudan and collected data from the accounts of Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda network. Schmitz, who provided no proof of his claims, said he turned the stolen information over to the FBI. The FBI declined to confirm that, or to comment. Both the manufacturer of the bank’s firewall and its hosting company have stated that they do not believe the hacking took place. The group has now made similar unsubstantiated claims against other Arab and Muslim banks.

Something really strange about both of these hacking sites is that they can be reached through ordinary dial-up from the Kingdom’s network. Last week I gave a friend with cancer the name of a site where she could purchase a breast prosthesis over the web — becoming.com. She phoned me back to tell me that the site was blocked by King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology. But then I was able to get to these two hacking sites which contain malicious, slanderous and on one page, pornographic postings, without any problem at all. Could someone please explain to me again how KACST chooses which sites to block?

One hacker who has not had a good week is Lee Alan Ashurst. You may remember that the 22-year-old Briton, from Oldham near Manchester, was previously found guilty of "misusing the services" of the UAE’s sole ISP, Etisalat. Well, he wasn’t happy with that finding so Ashurst appealed the ruling. That action has backfired. The Dubai Appeal Court not only upheld his conviction, but also found him guilty of a charge that was dismissed at his original trial.

The ruling confirmed the fine of 10,000 dirhams against Ashurst on the hacking charge and added a conviction for opening the private e-mails of Etisalat staffers, which a lower court dismissed on legal grounds during a trial in July. In a separate civil case, Etisalat is suing Ashurst for 2,835,000 dirhams in damages, which it claims to have incurred due to Ashurst’s hacking activity.

Etisalat has stated that Ashurst scanned its network and discovered security gaps, which he exploited in order to recover password files. They allege that he was then able to gain unauthorized access to its network and cause "extensive disruption to its service."

I don’t see Ashurst getting on a plane home any time soon. At the Young Intelligent Hackers website they have a section through which people can donate funds to their cause. Maybe they could launch an appeal in the hacking community to help Ashurst pay his fines.

Today is the opening of GITEX Dubai. I am very sorry that many of my IT colleagues from the Pakistani community will not be there this year due to problems in obtaining visas to the UAE. In the nick of time there was a relaxation on the total visa ban for a few categories of Pakistani passport holders, but not a total return to previous policies. Saudi Research and Publishing will have a large team at GITEX. Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News, has been chosen as the official Arabic language publication for the exhibition. So for all those IT professionals who can’t make it to GITEX, drop a note to the e-mail address at the end of the column indicating what companies you’d like to see featured and we’ll get out there and talk with them.

GITEX Dubai includes both a shopper show and the professional show. At the Computer Shopper show, 125 exhibitors will showcase the latest IT and consumer electronics products. One-third of the entrance ticket revenue is to be donated to charity. Anti-piracy teams will be inspecting products on sale throughout the show to ensure that they are genuine. There is a shuttle bus service from the professional show at the World Trade Center to the shopper show at the Airport Expo. The Computer Shopper exhibition will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. all days, except on Friday, Oct. 19, when it opens at 5 p.m. and closes at 9 p.m.

This is the second year the Computer Shopper is being hosted at the Airport Expo Dubai. Last year the show reported a record sales turnover of 85 million dirhams and a visitor turnout exceeding 76,000. This year’s shopper features the T2 Technology Fashion Show created and organized by T2 magazine and the DWTC. The fashion show combines high style with high technology, showcasing the latest mobile phones and consumer electronics to visitors at the show.

A quiz contest is currently online at GITEX Computer Shopper’s website (www.shopper.gitex.com) allowing visitors to win 6,000 dirhams worth of software from the Business Software Alliance (BSA), which is sponsoring the contest. The contest is a joint effort by the DWTC and BSA to increase awareness of computer piracy and copyright laws in the region. The contest is open to all who have access to the Internet. Visitors to the Computer Shopper can enter the competition at BSA’s stand at the Shopper. GITEX Dubai 2001 will be inaugurated today at 10 a.m., marking the 21st anniversary of the Middle East’s largest IT event. This year’s exhibition, which runs through Oct. 18, will occupy more space than ever before, covering more than 19,000 square meters at the Dubai World Trade Center exhibition complex. More than 600 exhibitors representing some 1,500 companies and 35 countries will participate. By last week, the number of GITEX pre-registrants had more than doubled the total reached for last year’s show, with some 40,000 individuals taking advantage of the online pre-registration service available at www.gitex.com.

One of the most significant pavilions at GITEX will be hosted by int@j — the Information Technology Association of Jordan. Int@j will be showcasing the best information technology that Jordan has to offer. Int@j’s strategy is not just hot air. The association was conceived as part of the Jordanian REACH initiative.

What is the REACH initiative? In July 1999, King Abdallah laid down a visionary challenge for the private sector to prioritize the development of Jordan’s IT sector. In response, a core group of Jordanian IT industry players devised a strategy and action plan, known as the REACH initiative.

The comprehensive framework embraces action in terms of:

— Regulatory framework

— Enabling environment and infrastructure

— Advancement programs

— Capital

— Human resources development

REACH, therefore, is a national strategy for Jordan to develop a vibrant, export-oriented IT services sector, paving the way for Jordan to become a regional leader and internationally recognized exporter of IT products and services.

REACH has a five-year plan, based upon realistic assumptions, to generate:

— 30,000 IT and IT-related jobs by 2004

— $550 million in exports by 2004

— $150 million in cumulative foreign direct investment by 2004.

Since the launch of the REACH initiative, IT-related employment in Jordan has more than doubled. Annual exports have grown to an estimated $40 million, a growth rate of 349 percent since the launch of REACH, and more than one-third of the Foreign Direct Investment target has been attracted to Jordan.

Int@j was created as a result of the implementation of the REACH initiative. The REACH strategy is to be led by the private sector, in partnership with government. The mission of Int@j, a voluntary non-profit, private organization is to effectively represent, promote, and advance the Jordanian software and IT services industry in the global market.

Jordan’s IT industry is set to boom over the next five years, with nationwide high speed Internet connections, an IT infrastructure scheme, foreign investment plans and employment schemes based around making the most of a highly qualified, keen and youthful labor pool.

Meanwhile, plans are well under way to enact legislation to ensure safe and secure Internet and IT usage.

Int@j is currently advocating 27 pieces of legislation that will affect the ICT sector tremendously in terms of providing a very business-friendly environment, and trade friendly laws. A significant number of these have already been passed, some are under discussion, and more will follow in the coming few months.

Arab News is scheduled for an exclusive interview with Dr. Fawaz Zubi, minister, post and communications, Jordan during GITEX. We hope to bring you his insights as to how Jordan implemented and is working to achieve the REACH strategy.