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The Media Hardware Hacking Security

After 20 Years, Phrack's Final Issue Looms 125

Posted by timothy from the don't-renew-your-subscription dept.
akahige writes "According to BBC News, the legendary phreaking/hacker magazine is set to close up shop after the publication of its forthcoming issue, no. 63 (which will be hardbound in commemoration). The editorial staff is stepping down, and no one has expressed an interest in taking up the reins. Bruce Sterling is quoted as saying, 'I'd be surprised to see the thing stay dead. They've got no fixed address and anonymous contributors.' If you've ever wanted to helm a magazine, here's your chance!" (See this earlier story as well.)
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After 20 Years, Phrack's Final Issue Looms More

After 20 Years, Phrack's Final Issue Looms

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  • Help (Score:5, Funny)

    by MarkRose ( 820682 ) on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @08:10AM (#13040964) Homepage
    I'd take over the magazine, but I'd have no phreaking clue how. Any advice?

  • Practice what they preach? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by drspliff ( 652992 ) on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @08:20AM (#13041025)

    Again, SlashDot is prooving that it's no longer at the forefront of IT industry and geek news (as if we didn't know it already).. This story was out last week at the BBC..

    The problem with looking for candidates to take over as the editorial team for the magazine is that they really should be 'inactive hackers'.

    By this I mean that they should have the theoretical knowledge behind it to validate articles and write their own, but given the background of Phrack you just know that the FBI/CIA/MI5 will be paying a lot of attention to whoever steps up to take the role.

    If the new candidate were ever to practice what they preach, you can be assured that they'll be looking for a new Phrack editor faster than you can say 'mandatory 20-year exemplary sentance'.

  • Hacker mag quality decline (Score:5, Informative)

    by spitefowl ( 786321 ) on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @08:26AM (#13041059) Homepage
    I've written a few articles for 2600, which seems to have a brotherly attitude towards Phrack. Though, some people consider 2600 to be Phrack-lite, which I can totally imagine. The quality of articles in both magazines have decreased slightly over the years. More so in 2600 imo. Could that be blamed on authors or just on subject matter? I think with the mass amounts of people that have access to both publications, mixed with the 'leet' people growing up into the professional world where this type of magazine may be frowned upon, leads to stale articles and "How to use Kazaa behind a firewall" articles. Either way, there's always a few good informative articles in either magazine, so it's sad to see one go. You could always read one of them, then go to the other for "the other stuff" without getting duplicate info. Now we just have to check out even more independent magazines, like Binrev (http://www.binrev.com/ [binrev.com] and radioshows like RFA (http://www.oldskoolphreak.com/ [oldskoolphreak.com]).

    • Re:Hacker mag quality decline (Score:5, Insightful)

      by l0rd ( 52169 ) on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @09:28AM (#13041431)
      I would definatley agree with this. The cause of this (and the overal decline of quality in the "hacker" scene) is two things IMHO:

      1) People entering the scene are getting dumber. While this could be said in general for the current generation (brainwashed by MTV, the whole No Logo thing etc. etc.), they are also being dumbed down by the computers/OSes they're using.

      Windows is all click and play. Because of the internet theres no need to code stuff yourself (and therefore learn from it). Whereas in the old days one would pull out the debugger & hex editor when one wanted to crack a game, you can now just download the crack without problems. This is also true of all of the hacker tools.

      Windows not having a standard built in programming enviroment (ala qbasic for dos) doesn't help either. While it can be argues that you can just install linux/bsd and be done with it, even linux is so easy to install these days any moron can do it without delving into how the OS itself works.

      2) Like the article says, the learning curve is much higher for beginners. Before you can do something cool you have to learn a lot, essentially catching up with all the security progress that's been had these past couple of decades. It's not like the "good ol days" when you could just dial up/ connect to some system and use some arcane bug that's 2 years old to login.

      I personally find this a sad state of affairs. It seems that few people in it for fun any more and only want a career as a "security consultant". :-(

      • 1) People entering the scene are getting dumber. While this could be said in general for the current generation (brainwashed by MTV, the whole No Logo thing etc. etc.), they are also being dumbed down by the computers/OSes they're using.

        [...]

        2) Like the article says, the learning curve is much higher for beginners. Before you can do something cool you have to learn a lot, essentially catching up with all the security progress that's been had these past couple of decades. It's not like the "good ol days

        • Re:Hacker mag quality decline (Score:4, Interesting)

          by l0rd ( 52169 ) on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @10:39AM (#13042037)
          While I definatley agree with you that it takes a special mix of curiosity, technical enclination and perseverence to be technically capable you musn't also forget the gratification factor.

          But you have to admit, to do something cool or new is a lot harder now just because a lot has already been done. Almost every vulnerability out there is a buffer overflow.

          These days its a lot harder to just scew around with your computer within days of buying it and for example writing a crack in qbasic. You have to put in more effort than say 10 or 20 years ago.

          Saying that however, there is now MUCH more information available freely on the internet than in the old days. Anything you want to learn you probably can. The whole thing sorta balances itself out.

          BTW I get your point in that you don't call script kiddies hackers, but every since a certian movie about HACKERS came out it became cool and everyone and their mother wanted to do it. Therefore, I think there are a lot more clueless script kiddies out there now then before (or maybe it just feels like it ;-) )
          • I think you've nailed it exactly. There has to be more complexity given the progress to ever larger OS's - What is Win XP? 27 million lines of "optimized code" (according to MS). Plus, one need learn not only Unix, but Linux and other flavors as well.

          • but every since a certian movie about HACKERS came out it became cool and everyone and their mother wanted to do it

            Wargames anyone?

            Seriously, anyone who glorifies "hacking" (cracking) is a moron. "Script kiddie" or not, you both come from the same cesspool. And don't give me that tired shit about how you just hack because you desire the know-how. There are literally millions of more worthy things to know than how to exploit bind to gain root access on a SunOS box. "Hacking" has always been a dick ex

            • There are literally millions of more worthy things to know than how to exploit bind to gain root access on a SunOS box.

              There are literally millions of more worth things to know than how to turn a webcam into an infrared imager, how to combine filtered imagery from the Mars rovers into false-colour photos that approximate human or animal vision, or how the chemical structure of stimulants relates to natural neurotransmitters.

              Those are the kind of things I find interesting, though. Just like some people ar
              • People who "hack" bind are telling themselves (and everyone else, hence most of the replies to this article) that it's just a hobby like the rest of the stuff you mentioned. In reality, most of these people are criminals or they associate with criminals on a daily basis. No "hacker" gets off the hook here.

                No sane person hacks bind just because they want the thrill of exploitation. Let's not kid ourselves here. Sure, some people do it for peer recognition which consists of someone giving the "hacker" "props
                • What about those that hack it to submit a patch so futher development can happen? What about those that hack it to see the security before they place information that could potentialy cost the company millions in lawsuites if it was ever cracked?

                  You act as if there is no legit form of hacking when there is. Or mayber you are just trying to call the legit versions somethign else?
                  • The term "hacking" has been co-opted first by the cracker/warez/phreak community then by the media.

                    It only gets confusing because people like Paul Graham, Linus Torvalds, Richard Stallman, et al. come from an era when "hacking" meant hobby programming. Then during the '90s they unfortunately referred to what they did as "hacking." Which is why the previous poster's web page refers to Linux as the "Hacker OS," although the intent and usage is really "Cracker OS" which is definately not what Linus had in min
                    • Ok i see your point exactly now.

                      I never read phrack and was just going on an article i read about somethign that was published in it.

                      The term "hack" does have a differing meaning today then it once did. I find myself guilty in using it for seemingly inocent means when after listening to you explanation, i'm probably using the wrong terms. I guess i was exploring your perception of what i considered (ethical) hacking more then trying to contradict your statments.

                      I have taken webcame and made infra red ca
      • Totally agree with the last statement, it's sad that most people use it as a stepping stone into a security career. Unforfunately(or fortunately?) these magazines don't usually mix well in anything other than possible pentest type jobs. I know I've been rejected for several jobs due to the fact that I've written in 2600. Alot of places see you as a liability.

        My articles could even be blamed in part of the decline, as they aren't totally exploit/hacking driven as they are generally informative.
        For example,
        • I would agree with you on this, however the kind of articles you talk about are more general interest for the more advanced hobbyist.

          Hacking is about making computers do stuff they're not supposed to. A lot of the time it involves "breaking" them. While there are enough technical papers being released these days on security they miss the "fun" factor (ie, they're mostly written for academia).

          • My point is that I see magazines like 2600 or Phrack, not necessarily having to be all about how-to's, but more geared towards that type of reader. There's a place for different types of articles including general interest, news, etc in addition to the how-to articles. Hell, anything to get rid of 8 pages of letters in 2600!
            • The letters are my favorite part, especially this format

              Dear 2600
              I w4nt to brake my skewls computer system, I no how to format a hard drive and run a r00tk1t. pls hlp me be 1337.

              00bar h4k3r.


              Dear klewless n00b
              If you really wish to destroy, use an axe. Hacking is about learning and building.

              Ed.
            • Gotta agree on that one ;-). I agree too that there should be stuff that's of interest to the gener Hacker.

              However, the problem these days is that most of the articles (especially in 2600) have become technically lame. I mean, how to run kazaa behind a firewall..... That's the kind of article you get time and time again. Wouldn't it be better to just write a series on how TCP/IP works or how SSH tunnels work for example? At least beginners would learn from stuff like that.

              I don't disagree with you on the
      • I agree with your points about using Windows and installing Linux. But actually using Linux is a different beast IMHO. It's possible to grow as a user and developer, whereas in Windows you're more or less stuck with the Fisher-Price environment.

        One reason is, I believe, that Linux blurs the lines between user/developer/sysadmin. (This is not necessarily a good thing, for example in a corporate environment, but then again the limits can be enforced.) When you use Linux efficiently, you are using developer

    • I've never actually read Phrack, but 2600 is one that I try to pick up.

      I do read it because in each issue there's one or two really good articles. But it saddens me that any magazine that claims to be semi-technical regularly has articles on how to remove spyware from freakin' Windows.

    • I too have had articles in 2600, and I have to agree 100% with parent. It seems that since 9/11 their articles are less risque and not usually more stunning than "intro to installing linux from your windows desktop" combined with re-written manuals from paging systems or phone networks and some highschool-esque level of rant about the state of the government.
    • 2600 is feces. Half the mag is crazy leftist ranting about Bush, the other half is garbage tech articles. I don't know how 2600 gets away with charging for their sheit.
    • I think the problem is that, ultimately, zine's like Phrack and 2600 have become obsolete. They grew up out of necessity, when Net access was expensive and BBSers would spread their zines far and wide.

      Now that Net access is nearly ubiquitous, the same information can be gotten from the Web and IRC fairly easily. No longer is there a need for such things as Phrack and 2600. Some people were even suggesting that /. have a 'Phrack' section, precisely because it would be so easy to do just that.

      Plus, many
      • Totally agree with you here. But I think there is still a need for a hacker mag to write about stuff from the hacker point of view.

        While there are enough papers on security, some stuff is still more difficult to find (pbxes for one). Also what's missing are articles about fun stuff to do (get free cola from vending machines etc).

        However the most important thing a zine brings is a sense of community. Something written by hackers for hackers. Without the zines you just have a bunch of people doing stuff on

  • laughable (Score:2, Funny)

    by halgorithm ( 642507 )
    Hacker magazines don't die; they get detained by the Department of Homeland Security...

  • Slashdot should "helm" Phrack.. (Score:5, Interesting)

    by inkdesign ( 7389 ) on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @08:26AM (#13041062)
    Why can't Shashdot add a "Phrack" section, being that Phrack content is contributed in a similar manor, and keep the party going?

  • Goodbye Phrack (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Afecks ( 899057 ) on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @08:27AM (#13041064)
    The editorial staff is stepping down, and no one has expressed an interest in taking up the reins.

    Each year the articles get goofier. However, I don't think that was really a bad thing, just not a very good source of technical information.

    Luckily there is still the 29A zine. [netlux.org] Always a great read but it won't show you how to get free soda.
    • while i like 29a and am friends with many of the original 29a authors, i giggled at the concept that it has overall been a better zine than phrack.

      Seriously, consider the first years of phrack and then tell me with a straight face it has gotten worse.
    • also, if you look at things, 29a is more or less dead. The most interesting people have left the group many of which to go on to better things.
    • First thing I thought when looking at the article was, didn't I read Phrack #62 more than a year ago? Turns out the last issue was released: 2004-07-13. I think the biggest reason for it's decline is it has only come out once a year for the past several years. Back in the day, it may not have been monthly, but it at least came out frequently enough to generate interest.

      I'd love to see a new team take over, and at the least release issues every 3-4 months.
  • I volunteer to take over. Please contact me at:

    Mr Spy
    123 FBI Street
    Secretsville
    12345

    and I will arrange for you to visit me to hand over all relevant material.

    Thank you.

  • SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE: arrested for $13 documen (Score:5, Informative)

    by putko ( 753330 ) on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @08:41AM (#13041138) Homepage Journal
    Some things never change! FTFA:

    Phrack editor Knight Lightning, aka Craig Neidorf, was arrested, charged with fraud and tried before a grand jury for reprinting most of a confidential document, known as the E911 document, stolen from the Bell South telephone company. Bell South claimed that the confidential E911 document contained sensitive information and put its value at $80,000.

    The case became a cause celebre for the digital underground and Mr Neidorf's defence was organised by the fledgling Electronic Frontier Foundation.

    The case against Mr Neidorf collapsed when it was shown that the E911 paper could be ordered by phone from Bell South for only $13.

  • How about Slashdot? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by LS ( 57954 ) on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @08:58AM (#13041229) Homepage
    Anyone willing to take over Slashdot? They've been asleep at the wheel for a while here too...
  • As a long time reader, I am saddened by this. Hopefully, someone will step up and take the reigns and continue the work the PHRACK team started.

  • Good bye phrack. (Score:1, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward
    The information was good but the spirit died long time ago when people in the scene started bragging about their jobs and their money. It became worse than rap videos. People started writing under their real names and linking to their resumes ...

  • This is really the end!! (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Spez ( 566714 )
    Slashdot coverage of the "lasts final issues"

    may 30th : Phrack Final, #63 [slashdot.org]
    January 22nd : Phrack E-zine comes to an end [slashdot.org] #63
    • We'll get at least two more dupes out of this. One when the final issue is actually published, and one more a few days later when some news site reports on the last issue having been published. And if we're really lucky, some news site trying to be cool and failing will notice like a month or two later and we'll get yet one last posting about it.

  • Dupe of a dupe? (Score:1, Offtopic)

    by slapout ( 93640 )
    Isn't this a dupe of a dupe? Or is this like one of those stores that are always having going out of business sales (yet stay in business for years) ?
  • Phrack was some of the stuff I enjoyed reading. I think the whole spirit behind it is dead and should anyone take over it won't be the same phrack.

    To the current and past Phrack staff. Thanks guys for all you've done for me, and all you've stirred.

  • I hope it's... (Score:3, Funny)

    by Viraptor ( 898832 ) on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @09:59AM (#13041701) Homepage
    I hope it's only part of next issue - "messing with media for fun and profit"...
  • The first step in restarting Phrack v2.0 would be getting an issue counter larger than 6 bits [germannews.com]. Or is that Phrack v10?

    "There are 10 kinds of people in the world: those who understand binary, and those who don't." - Unknown Wisehacker

  • Memmories... (Score:4, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @11:32AM (#13042770)
    This post reminds me the time I caught the ferry over to Shelbyville. I needed a new heel for my shoe, so, I decided to go to Morganville, which is what they called Shelbyville in those days. So I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time. Now, to take the ferry cost a nickel, and in those days, nickels had pictures of bumblebees on them. "Give me five bees for a quarter," you'd say.

    Now where were we? Oh yeah - the important thing was I had an onion on my belt, which was the style at the time. They didn't have white onions because of the war. The only thing you could get was those big yellow ones...

  • I mean, who hasn't edited Phrack? I gave it a go for issues 15 [phrack.org] through 17 [phrack.org], where I predicted that Phrack would survive at least through issue 34. At the time, I didn't know it would reach its absolute nadir with issue 33 [phrack.org].

    The reason for the change in issue 15 and then in issue 18 was schooling -- we crazy kids were actually going to college to try to do something more productive with our lives (in my case, it didn't work [reezle.com]).

  • Copy of the final issue (Score:3, Interesting)

    by akad0nric0 ( 398141 ) on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @01:22PM (#13044197)
    It would be nice if the Phrack editors would make the bound final issue available online for a reasonable fee. I won't be able to get to where it will be available, but would love to have a copy.

    Given that the roots of Phrack and the EFF are so closely tied, it would be a great gesture to donate any profits made from online sales to the EFF...

    It's sad to see such a historical element of a sub-culture that so influenced me fade away. Here's hoping 2600 can keep it alive.
  • you can find an "early" release on some Canadien [slashdot.org] site.
  • ...set to close up shop after the publication of its forthcoming issue, no. 63...

    It appears they shouldn't have used just a 6-bit issue counter!

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