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by aus_ 4807 days ago
PCWorld reports he "hacked IBM mainframes". [1] I would be interested in knowing the details of this. I am a sysprog for z/OS for a financial institution by day, and I have never heard of any sort of intrusion like this. Not that these systems are completely bulletproof, but I expect there is some fabrication in these statements. These systems are usually deep in the backend and obscurely buried in archaic and proprietary architectures. Unless Warg had any experience with this platform or some sort of inside help, I highly doubt this allegation.

[1]: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2034733/pirate-bay-cofounder-...
3 comments
belorn 4807 days ago
The prosecutor document describe the "hack" as Gottfrid testing a bunch of default password at an wireless route, and from there, using the internal networks "automated processes" (ie, I assume they mean that the system lacks any security against the internal network).
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lawnchair_larry 4807 days ago
As someone who works in security, I can tell you that your trust in these is misplaced. Archaic proprietary systems, once examined, are far worse in terms of security, not better. It isn't difficult to learn z/OS if that is your goal.
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holmb 4807 days ago
> Unless Warg had any experience with this platform or some sort of inside help, I highly doubt this allegation.

He has knowledge and experience with z/OS.

And in the general case, I totally agree with lawnchair_larry. Also, if there is a big enough incentive to find security flaws they will be found, even in rather obscure systems.

Though that doesn't make him guilty until proven otherwise.

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