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Cyber-war? U.S. defense sites invaded by young hackers, not Iraqis

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, July 31, 2000

WASHINGTON -- Iraq was mistakenly suspected of sponsoring cyber attacks on hundreds of U.S. defense sites.

U.S. officials said Iraq was believed to have employed hackers to break into at least 200 unclassified defense sites operated by the Pentagon and military during the United Nations crisis with Baghdad in 1998. At the time, President Saddam Hussein ordered the expulsion of UN inspectors.

But after a U.S. investigation the hackers were found to have been American juveniles and Israelis, Middle East Newsline reports.

"The intruders penetrated at least 200 unclassified U.S. military computer systems, including seven Air Force bases and four Navy installations, Department of Energy National Laboratories, NASA sites, and university sites," said Edgar A. Adamson, chief U.S. National Central Bureau of Interpol. "The timing of the intrusions, and the fact that some activity appeared to come from an ISP in the Middle East, led many U.S. military officials to suspect that this might be an instance of Iraqi information warfare."

Instead, Adamson told a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Government Management, Information, and Technology last week, that two Israeli hackers were identified.

"Within several days, the investigation determined that two juveniles in Cloverdale, California, and individuals in Israel were the perpetrators," Adamson said.

The official said Israel is preparing to prosecute the defendants as the federal government in Washington completes efforts to coordinate cybercrime investigations.

Adamson said on Wednesday that Interpol is working with the Council of Europe to develop a draft convention on cybercrime that aims to harmonize legislation, facilitate investigations and improve cooperation between countries. He said the text is expected to be completed in December and signed by next year.

Monday, July 31, 2000

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