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by DanBC2 4898 days ago
This is briefly mentioned in Clifford Stoll's book "The Cuckoo's Egg" (which is great read).

It's a fascinating story. I also like his father's (or maybe it was his?) idea for a spellchecker - using statistical analysis.
2 comments
mpyne 4898 days ago
It really is a great read, and it shows the other side of the story: When there was very little, if any, idea of computer crime enforcement in the Federal government.

Back then there was an a hacker running amok on the Berkeley (yes, that Berkeley) network. Even when they managed to prove that the hacker was coming from overseas (definitely making it a Federal case) they were met with a big giant MEH from everyone they talked to. FBI didn't handle it. USSS didn't care. And on and on it went, until they managed to drag the government (and other parties besides) kicking and screaming into helping them out.

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jacquesm 4898 days ago
Things haven't changed that much. If you have a case and it does not involve one or more of:

  - child porn

  - someone famous 

  - a large amount of money
There is not all that much chance you'll get any cooperation.
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leejoramo 4898 days ago
"The Cuckoo's Egg" is one of the defining books of history of the Internet. Anybody in this field really should read it, and it is an exciting story.
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