Culture  More culture
Arab hackers target Israeli websites
Lior El-Chai
Published: 01.01.08, 10:43
Comment Comment
Print comment Print comment
Back to article
21 Talkbacks for this article
1. Israel's 5th Column Is At It Again
Yishai Kohen ,   YeShA, Israel   (01.01.08)
Nothing new here.
2. He should have watched more "Mission Impossible" episodes.
Steven Wilson ,   Anchorage, Alaska   (01.01.08)
The message always self destructs after it is played. You don't have to run into a bathroom and flush the computer down the commode. Teach him to hack Arab computer systems. I'm sure the Arabs won't mind a bit.
3. Yet another reason to move away from Windows
Raymond from DC ,   Washington, DC USA   (01.01.08)
I'm not alone in having warned against the Windows monoculture here in the US and specifically in Israel. You *know* you have cyber enemies who want to bring you low. Why leave yourself vulnerable? Unfortunately, in Israel almost everyone uses only Windows, and it's all they know. I suspect you're too enthralled with Microsoft as a "success story", and with the high tech opportunities it provides.
4. I've been saying this for years
David ,   Zichron Yaacov   (01.01.08)
The typical Israeli website runs on a badly administrated Windows Server. Skills are generally very low and webmasters are usually badly paid or incompetent - or both. This is ideal terrain for hackers and script -kiddies. And I doubt that anything will change until something major is hacked, e.g. some defense systems or the Kupat Holim Haclalit.
5. bad press for checkpoint & co!
Mordechai   (01.01.08)
lol... what to expect from a country where "safe" means air gapped? Having worked in Israel, N.A. UE, APAC I can say... israeli systems are so unsafe as any other's...
6. Israeli education
David ,   Sydney, Australia   (01.02.08)
This is what happens when you educate your enemy
7. What was he doing in the bathroom?
Michael ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (01.02.08)
Trying to flush his computer or hard drive down the toilet? He may have been a script kiddie, but he certainly doesn't sound like he was in the "A" list for brains. The police should keep looking, there must be someone smarter than this kid in the background.
8. Stupid reaction .....idiotic behaviour...
Hiram ,   Paris   (01.02.08)
Intelligence is a rare commodity...and becomes even more rare in Israel . Don't be stupid ! If this kid could break into websites or organisation through hacking, this simply means one and only one thing : the websites were/are inadequately protected...and this kid - and his team- is/are better than the people in charge of computer security in the various Israeli organisation. I know it costs a lot of pride to admit it but from the look of things, it is true. There are now only 2 options : Fire the folks in charge of computer security .....or simply hire that guy so he can show us how to better protect our computer systems. ....If I recall , Arabs had something to do with " Inventing" mathematics correct ? is " cipher" coming from an arabic word by any chance ?
9. Hmm, sounds like a young cyber-stinker ready for............
Cameron ,   USA   (01.02.08)
some prison time.
10. "idiotic behavior" is a ME specialty, Hiram.
Cameron ,   USA   (01.02.08)
As you're in Paris, I'm sure you can get a straight answer about the "cipher" question from the next Arab you can grab while they 're running 'buck-wild' in the streets or busy burning your car.
11. "Cyber terrorism"? people- these are computers not people!
Israeli   (01.02.08)
17 year olds hacking into computers (whether they are anti-Israel or not) is not the same as publicly killing civilians in order to generate fear or making a political statement. Why are we using this word that degrades actual acts of terror?
12. skiddies
Giggs   (01.03.08)
sounds like a bunch of skiddies trying to get fame,not like they are a real terrorist.
13. Raymond #3 is right. Israel is missing out.
iMack ,   USA   (01.03.08)
In addition to security, if you haven't used the new Mac OS, you don't know what you are missing. Some of the applications are astonishing! We ditched Windows and are now doing both engineering and artistic projects on the Mac. Another plus are the 99 cent music downloads including many great Israeli artists (that I heard for the first time) in iTunes. Israeli music on iTunes is great for international PR and Israel's economy.
14. To Cameron # 10
Hiram ,   Paris   (01.04.08)
Cameron, I must say that life has been great with me . having lived in many countries including Israel and the USA, I am aware of the difference of perception connected to the various cultural approaches ! Rest assured that my car has not been burned by Arabs, and rest assured that intelligence and brain abilities have nothing to do with creed, faith, beliefs or country of residence. Facts are very simple : some people are simply good in computer sciences. Thinking that an " arab" is not able to achieve hacking is exactly like thinking that an "indian" from India is unable to teach physics in Berkeley ! Both you and me know that this is incorrect. The good thing about hacking is that it pushes always further the development of computer security...although we all know that there is positively no foolproof security system !
15. Raymond #3 - important point
Chris ,   UK   (01.04.08)
I agree entirely that the use of Windows, especially with it being the most cracked and targeted operating system, is detrimental to the Western world as a whole. Poorer nations that cannot afford to use Windows are turning to Open Source software, and are far more secure than those in the West! I recommend Open Source software, and would suggest Linux rather than the proprietary Mac operating system. Open Source software is inexpensive and highly adaptable. The trouble is that any move away from Microsoft may cause the US to take offence, which may be why Israel is still using the insecure and problematic software Microsoft is producing.
16. The only thing Israel is missing out on
Julia ,   London, UK   (01.05.08)
The thing Israel is missing out on is the potential of it's young Arab population. Instead of alienating them with endless racist talk and lack of positive attention, Israel could win the youths over and use their talents and cultural knowledge.
17. another 'brilliant' computer hacker going to jail
Petra ,   usa   (01.05.08)
and his mother should be arrested also. Can you imagine her trying to divert the cops while her botched abortion tried to 'flush' away the evidence. They are dumber than two bricks. Jail him, let him play 'computer' in jail, IF they allow him that treat. If not, give the prick some crayons.
18. to 8 Hiram.
SAUL ,   MELBOURNE   (01.05.08)
CIPHER IS AN ARABIC WARD . IT MEANS ZERO.
19. And they expect to be hired and trusted!
The Doc ,   Haifa, Israel   (01.08.08)
Israeli Arabs hve moaning recently that they are not hired in enough nimbers by the Israeli HiTec sector. Well? Do YOU want to hire a hacker that undermines Israel at every ocasion? Would YOU want to hire a person who at a simple religious whim will sell you, your trade and industrial secrets to terrorists? No Sir! This may sound racist but what can you do when the proof and statistics show that mosty Muslims engage in terrorism - of ANY kind. Besides, how can this be compared with the state and religion-sponsored rabid racism conducted by Islam worldwide? After all, the Jihad is nothing more than a new Nazi movement aimed at destroying anything which is not Muslim. If THAT is not racism, then I don't know what is. Better "racist" than dead!
20. attack
marco Avitan ,   marrakech   (01.09.09)
Thinking, As a palestnian he should be sent to Gaza and before that be punished by the low. As for his mother, loosing the pension money o part of it with an invitation to leave the country is......
21. yes arab will keep fighting you kiilers
someone ,   israil   (10.02.09)
what you call your self in this life ?? peas maker ?? who keeps the war all over the world ? who kill kids , who hijacked others country , who use killing war Manichean. you are acting ( Hollywood ) peoples or ( Ani. ) you all israiles are ( the god enemy's ) messengers killers ,, so it's not strange to kill kids & families
Back to article