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*                                                                           *

*                          Tarkin Darklighter                               *

*                                                                           *

*                               Presents:                                   *

*                                                                           *

*                           The NASA Hackers                                *

*                                                                           *

*                          September 16, 1987                               *

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*       Call:  DSF Devestator   (214) 581-7565     Supporting the IIgs.     *

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     This was in the newspaper today, and in the interest of keeping the

phreak/hack world informed, here is the article:





     WASHINGTON -- Computer hackers in West Germany broke into a NASA

computer network that contains technical information from space shuttle

flights and were able to manipulate the data stored there, a West German news

report said Tuesday.

     NASA, responding to the report, said its computer-security system

detected three electronic break-ins in August, at least one of which came

from West Germany.  Spokesmen for the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration downplayed the significance of the incident, saying the

network contained postflight technical data from the space shuttle, none of

which was classified.

     The hackers reportedly gained access to information by asking the NASA

computers for information under such keywords as "shuttle," "challenger," and

"secret."

     The NASA network is one of hundreds operated by groups around the world

as a means of sharing information.  The networks are linked to the telephone

system, and authorized users can gain access after connecting their computers

to a phone line.  In most cases, a user needs only to know the networks'

telephone number and a password or access code.

     Computer-security experts say it is impossible to make a computer

network immune to break-in by hackers, computer enthusiasts who like the

challenge of dialing into computer systems without authorization.

Persistence, logic, and clever computer programs allow hackers to break

access codes and find passwords.

     Stringency of access to NASA networks varies depending on the degree of

risk posed by unathorized access, an agency statement said.  All the networks

are routinely monitored and attempted break-ins -- which are fairly common --

are investigated, the NASA statement said.

     The breached computer network, called the Space Physics Analysis

Networks, is one of several that NASA operates.  SPAN lets scientists and

engineers in various universities and other research centers quickly send or

recieve technical data from a space flight.  Its chief goal is to provide

NASA managers with analyses of spacecraft performance.

     "Any individual or organization engaged in NASA-related research can

apply for access to SPAN," a NASA statement said.  "We know of no classified

information which can be accessed through the network."

     NASA spokesman William Marshall said the space agency could not comment

on the hackers' statement that they had been able to manipulate data for

four months.  The hackers did not say that they had done so, but Marshall

observed that legitimate users can enter new data into the system.

     The break-in came to light when a West German television, ARD, reported

on a statement released by the Hamburg-based Chaos Computer Club.  Club

officials reportedly were approached for help by youthful hackers when the

hackers realized the significance of what they had done.

     News reports said young West Germans gained regular access to at least

20 NASA computers and had the ability to paralyze the network.

     The club also said the hackers had gained access to computers at the

European Space Agency in Darmstadt, West Germany, at the European Nuclear

Research Center in Geneva and at the European Laboratory for Molecular

Biology in Heidelburg.

     The Hamburg-based magazine Stern reported similar information Tuesday.

     "When I saw 'Welcome to the NASA headquarters ... installation' on my

screen, I was a little shocked, to say the least," the magazine quoted one

youth as saying.

     The club statement said the hackers penetrated the network to show the

"unbelievable weaknesses" of the security system, and that they had no

interest in the secret data.  It was also said the penetration was discovered

in August and that all organizations using the network were notified.

     So far, no charges have been filed in the case, but a West German

Justice Ministry spokesman said the hackers' actions are punishable by up to

three years in prison and fines.







     Look for more articles such as this in the near future.



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*                 Call:  DSF Devestator    (214) 581-7565                   *

*                           Supporting the IIgs.                            *

*                                                                           *

*                    A member of the Deep Space Fleet.                      *

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