So, I just got a mail from my university’s Information Systems and Computing (ISC) group. It confirms what was a rumor last night – that ‘TeamGhostShell’ from ‘Anonymous’ did really break into the VPUL database of our university. The database that was hacked led to disclosure of names and some of the records included email addresses, phone numbers or student ID numbers. And these , no doubt, are private information!
Anonymous, which has been publishing attacks on vulnerable systems worldwide and has kind of taken the role of a superman saving the world from security breaches , claims the motive behind this is to raise awareness about changes in today’s education. Which is GOOD ! 🙂 In TeamGhostShell’s own words, “We have set out to raise awareness towards the changes made in today’s education, how new laws imposed by politicians affect us, our economy and overall, our way of life. How far we have ventured from learning valuable skills that would normally help us be prepared in life, to just, simply memorizing large chunks of text in exchange for good grades. How our very own traditions are heard less and less, losing touch with who we truly are. Slowly casting the identities, that our ancestors fought to protect, into exile. – TGS”. The complete message can be read here.
Noble intentions indeed ! But, looking at Anonymous’s trend of attacks and their motives, I can say that rarely do their actions justify or work towards meeting their claimed goals or motives. How will awareness towards the education system increase if you leak the database records containing student information? It would be still understandable if they hacked system containing education policies. To me , it clearly raises awareness about security, vulnerabilities and a list containing publicly available details of merely 2% of students studying in my university. Anonymous takes the ethical way by attacking and publishing them. But really, if looks like ways to publicize your attacks and organization without getting any real work done. It is like saying that I am trying to save the world by peeping into backyards of a few houses !!
If team TGS really really wanted to ‘raise awareness about education system’ , it should have hacked the policies database of universities. But meanwhile, UPenn’s ISC and all the other universities hacked, should take this attack in all earnestness and close the loopholes. Easier said than done! Obscurity is no way to security. Attacks like these only make a system better.
Welll , on a side note , I loved the article of Dana White, president UFC , who fought back Anonymous 😉