The Large Hadron Security Hole
Mikey 5 comments
As far as security breaches go, it doesn't get much more embarrassing than this. Greek hackers have managed to hack into the systems that control the LHC, and were "one step away" from accessing the control system of one of the huge detectors. Only one file was damaged but the scientists say there was no real disruption to the experiment, although it was a scary eye opener.
As a result the web site is still inaccessible to the public.
You would think for a project that cost billions to put together, they might have assigned a small budget to securing their systems.
Although the hackers claim they have no intention of interfering with the experiment, I reckon the scientists will have some doubt in their minds should something go wrong.
Jake
Monday 15th September 2008 | 09:13 AMProbably not all that potentially catastrphic considering the particles aren't going all that fast as yet. It'll take them almost a year to reach the speed they hope to attain. Right now there is probably hydrogen particles in our atmosphere traveling as fast as they're going in the LHC.
That is pretty funny though.
Marvin The Martian
Monday 15th September 2008 | 11:06 AMMy question is:
How dumb do you have to be to host your site on the same network as your experiment? Wouldn't it make more sense to use a completely separate system (or use a shared hosting facility) on a separate network? I mean your website is rather meaningless in the grand scheme of things when compared to your multi-billion dollar scientific venture.
DUH!
mini-mel
Monday 15th September 2008 | 01:38 PM"You would think for a project that cost billions to put together, they might have assigned a small budget to securing their systems"
i'm thinking they blew out on their budget for this 'big bang thingy' and hope to christ that no one could get through the network into their computer system
sucks to be them
andrew
Monday 15th September 2008 | 04:27 PMok, they break in or hack into the system what is the damage they would have caused?
Rodney
Monday 15th September 2008 | 08:26 AMWow. That is pretty embarrassing.