Computer hackers hit epilepsy site
By Jordan Robertson, Associated Press
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Computer attacks typically don't inflict physical pain.
But in a rare example of an attack apparently motivated by malice rather than money, hackers recently bombarded the Epilepsy Foundation's Web site with pictures and helpful- looking links to pages with rapidly flashing images.
The breach triggered severe migraines and near-seizure reactions in some site visitors who viewed the images. People with photosensitive epilepsy can get seizures when they're exposed to flickering images.
"They were out to create seizures," said Ken Lowenberg, senior director of Web and print publishing for the foundation, which is based in Landover, Md.
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May 12, 2008
7:40 a.m.
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kathyM writes:
Just when you think people can't get any lower...I hope the hackers get caught so those affected can sue their pants off.
May 12, 2008
7:47 a.m.
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Blind_Pete writes:
There MUST be a special place in hell awaiting such monsters.
May 12, 2008
3:09 p.m.
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Oroboros writes:
First, this is VERY old news: http://www.wired.com/politics/securit...
Second, you don't have to be a "hacker" in order to make flashing images appear on a Bulletin Board post. You simply have to know how to embed images in a post, something that almost ALL sites explicitly allow (though perhaps in this case, there was some mischief).
Third, I can't wander around the web without stumbling into annoying flashing banners. I can't imagine how those people manage to use the regular Internet without seizures.