Nick Bredimus On Airline Hackers Arrested

When we think of hacking, we usually think of breaking into computer systems. But hacking can refer to breaking into any secure system. The airline industry relies on many different secure systems, not all of them automated. Airline industry hacking is a very serious issue in the wake of 9/11.

1. Airplane hackers (Scroll down the page)

   Nathaniel Heatwole is a student at Guilford College. Several times between February 7 and September 15 he tested airline security. First he smuggled box cutters, clay simulating plastic explosives, and bleach simulating bomb-making chemicals through security. Then he hid these things in the lavatories of airplanes, along with notes. And finally, he sent an e-mail to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) titled "Information Regarding 6 Recent Security Breaches."
   
   The problem is that the TSA never asked him to test their security.
   
   For years, computer networks have been plagued with hackers breaking into systems. These people are not breaking into systems for profit. They don't commit fraud. They don't commit theft. They're breaking into systems for the intellectual curiosity. They're breaking into systems for the fun. They're breaking into systems to see if they can....

2. The underbelly of cyberspace

   Reviews a history of hacking, including an incident where ValueJet's Web site was hacked.

3. EX-EMPLOYEE OF AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION COMPANY GUILTY OF HACKING INTO COMPANY'S COMPUTER

   A man previously employed at the administrative and operations center of the Airline Coach Service and Sky Limousine Company in Inglewood pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of hacking into the companies' computer system and wiping out critical data. The hack wiped out the companies' customer database and other records and effectively shut down the companies' computer server, Internet-based credit card processing system, and website....