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MacITT, Apple Matters Defaced by Hacker [Updated]

by , 7:45 AM EST, November 27th, 2007

MacITT, Apple Matters and iPhone Matters, three Apple and Mac related information Web sites, were seemingly defaced by a hacker Monday night. The regular site contents was replaced with a message about "excessive Apple fanboism." In the end, however, it turned out the defacing was merely a publicity stunt.


Three Apple related Web sites were defaced over night.

The three sites were defaced by what appears to be the same person bearing a message that most likely was not approved stating "This website has been flagged for excessive Apple fanboism, and has been taken down for 24 hours. This is a message to the rest of the Mac community, so listen up. Ever heard of hubris? Tone it down, and you will not be attacked. Everyone else is open game."

This isn't the first time the mystery hacker has defaced an Apple related Web site, and based on the message, probably won't be the last. The acts could, however, ultimately prove to be more of a headache than a bragging tool -- defacing the Web sites most likely violated some laws, and eventually the long arm of the law could reach out and smack this hacker down.

Update
Later in the day Hadley Stern of Apple Matters revealed that the sites in fact weren't hacked and defaced, but instead were part of a publicity stunt to help attract attention to his Web sites.

The good news is that the Web sites weren't hacked. The bad news is that the stunt could potentially have a negative impact on the companies that provide services for the sites -- including back end hosting, server applications, and site advertising services. Even though none of the support companies were involved in the stunt, it still could appear that the host services and applications offered inadequate security protection, and that the ad host company was in some way involved, too.

If it turns out that all of the Web sites that were defaced by the same supposed hacker were all participating in a publicity stunt, hopefully today marked the end of the campaign.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:geoduck Posts: 1922 Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Subject:

From Wikipedia - Hubris or hybris (Greek ὕβρις), according to its modern usage, is exaggerated self pride or self-confidence (overbearing pride), often resulting in fatal retribution. In Ancient Greece, "hubris" referred to actions taken in order to shame the victim, thereby making oneself seem superior.

To me this is exactly what 'malcor' as he signed his work is exhibiting. Unadulterated hubris to the point of self dilusion.

Close Name:DaiMac Posts: 952 Joined: 29 Jun 2001
Subject: huh

So he is mad because Apple is successful?

Maybe he lost his girlfriend to a Mac User?

I'm trying to imagine what Mac users did to this guy that he would be so passionate. I can't imagine investing the amount of time he obviously did in pulling off these pranks on anything that I hate.

I guess we now know who the ultimate Playa Hater is...

Close Name:Guest
Subject: What has he really proved? Nothing.

What has he really proved by hacking these sites? Nothing.
Are they hosted by Macs? Probably not. The long arm of the law should smack this hubris upside the head. Apparently he can't take the success of Apple and the complete failure of Microsoft with Vista.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Servers hosting compromised sites

MacITT and AppleMatters and being run on Apache/2.0.52 Red Hat Linux. It appears by they're hosted by Gippy's International.

So, the lesson is use Mac OS X for your servers.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Thanks Geoduck!

Thank you, Geoduck! Nobody could have said it better.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Defaced by Hacker?

The internet is not a series of tubes. It's a series of lies. A tool for propaganda.
The sites hacked are not Mac Fanboy sites. iPhoneMatters is, if anything, a anti-iPhone black-PR site. AppleMatters was no friend of Apple, but has toned down the negativity lately, probably because they were loosing hits. Why would THESE sites be hacked? Why would the subbed index page still be up at 8:30 AM?

Close Name:Guest
Subject: It's a hoax

Check out Apple matters, it seems to just be stunt. A practical joke. It sure leaves his web hosting service looking bad. Maybe they should pull the plug on him.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Legal Action?

Why have none of these webmasters taken legal an/or criminal action? This guy has to be traceable ans should be tracked down and nailed to the wall.

Close Name:ctopher Posts: 134 Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Subject: Geoduck has it right

Even though the "hack" was a hoax (no need to worry about Gippy's International or the Expression Engine content management system's security) the site owners will certainly suffer from their hubris.

Also, the site has pop-up ads!

Don't go there.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Dumbass Maczealots

Malcor is right.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Shame.

Let that be a lesson in stupidity.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: So those sites are for sale

Good to know - they're not to be trusted.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: HOAX

The whole thing was a hoax...what an ass.

Close Name:geoduck Posts: 1922 Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Subject:

Quote
ctopher wrote:
Even though the "hack" was a hoax (no need to worry about Gippy's International or the Expression Engine content management system's security) the site owners will certainly suffer from their hubris.

Gippy's has a big beef against AppleMatters et. al. At the very least I would expect Gippy’s to not renew or even cancel the hosting contracts. I think it's as likely AppleMatters et. al. will be facing legal action. IANAL but I think a strong argument could be made that the actions of the people running these sites damaged the reputation of Gippy's and Expression. In this business reputation, disserved or otherwise, is everything. For nearly a day Gippy’s was made to look incompetent and Expression Engine was made to look insecure. If I were either of them I would be talking to my lawyers about suing Apple Matters et. al. for everything they have.

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