Wiretap inquiry spurs computer hacker charges
Article Abstract:
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tapped computer transmissions to obtain evidence for its indictment of the five members of an alleged computer hacker ring on charges of conspiracy, computer tampering, illegal wiretapping, wire fraud, computer fraud and breaking federal privacy laws. The 'Master of Deception' or 'Master of Disaster' (MOD) ring members allegedly stole passwords and other technical data from a number of organizations, including Pacific Bell, New York Telephone, TRW Inc, Martin Marietta Corp, New York University and the University of Washington. None of the companies suffered economic damage except for having to upgrade their computer security systems. The FBI obtained the necessary warrant to listen in on MOD's transmissions from a federal judge. The number of intrusions into the networks of credit reporting companies such as TRW has risen sharply since 1987.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Cordless-phone users win degree of protection from eavesdroppers
Article Abstract:
The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans says that the government cannot listen in on cordless-telephone calls when users reasonably expect their conversations to be private. The decision is apparently the first in which a federal court has given users of cordless phones any privacy rights. Other courts have ruled that eavesdropping on portable phones is so easy that any expectation of privacy is preposterous. The New Orleans court, however, noted that new portable phones feature technologies such as scrambling devices that aim to baffle would-be eavesdroppers. Cellular-phone conversations already have legal protection from eavesdropping, even though they are as readily intercepted as portable-phone conversations.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Australia suffers a micro-macro chasm. Business to miss out in election spending
- Abstracts: A research agenda for computers and small business. Computers in small business: a case of under-utilization. The impact of attitudes and experience on small business computer use
- Abstracts: Group is urged for security of computers. Clinton plans expanded role on technology: U.S. would shift funds from defense research, back specific projects
- Abstracts: Investing excess working capital. FDIC insurance changes: how will they affect investors? Swaps: a 1990s tool for management of financing
- Abstracts: Small businesses tap into the power of computers; but getting top productivity from complicated software frustrates many