SCO.com defaced

Posted Nov 30, 2004 4:25 UTC (Tue) by ken_i_m (guest, #4938) [Link]

First, let me state that I am in no way defending the defacement. I even referred the the prepetrators as "script kiddies" (not a term of endearment). Additionally, the sk_idiots played into SCO hands by knocking the chip off their shoulder and giving them the opprotunity to cry "Woe, unto me. For I have been attacked by un-civilized vandals." Though they appear to be letting media hacks do the crying for them at the moment.

Regarding that chip on their shoulder. It was only last spring that sco.com was the target of a virus-spread DDoS. This establishes a clear precedent that there are *_idiots out there that may specifically target their web presence. Another interpretation is that they did not care if it got defaced or not. So...
Knowing that sco.com is an active target makes its comparision to "free software sites", an apples to oranges evaluation. FOSS projects are manned by voluteers. Part of the mindset is "hey, we are doing this cool thing for the community so why would anyone attack us". For the most part, no one did. Due to the word getting out about attacks on FOSS sites they are taking security more seriously. This is a pain since they are volunteers and their energy would be better spent elsewhere. But, hey, that is life in the early 21st century. On the other hand, SCO is a proprietary company with multi-millions in revenue. The admins responsible for the server, website, etc draw a payroll check with the SCO logo on it. Script Kiddie bait or incompentence? Does it matter?