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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. |
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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
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.
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...
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?
Tue Nov 27, 2007 2:04 pm Subject: Geoduck has it right
Quotectopher 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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