That was really interesting. Although I don't condone what they do at all, I can't help but be impressed by how hackers figured out some of these things.
Interesting stuff, it seems he was quite talented in software.
Nowadays though there are customisable applications that send out robots to scan for network vulnerabilities. When they report back, the application can hack and crack passwords, then upload appropriate parasites to a compromised network. So most of these fiends have little skill, they are just plain criminal scum.
Oh, by the way, I found that slice of information while tracking down that a$$hole that stole google image links to my artwork. It was a thread on a security website regarding a new issue of a russian black market application. Apparently hackers pay monthly for it and it's around a grand for a one year service! I wonder what underground villans are running that?
I imagine it does pay especially for someone as talented as that article makes out what doesnt pay is to own up to it. Really great article thank you for posting, for those interested in cyber crime this looks like a good read.
Lucky the German police got him before he left, he could of gotten his life destroyed. I wonder what Gabe feels about this now, he almost got him arrested by the FBI. At the time he was probably trying to protect his company.
2003 and 2010 are very different in terms of bit torrent traffic and public knowledge of the system, it's probably why HL2 wasn't affected so badly. Different story now.
I have one thing to say after reading this, that it was a Genius hit even if Gembe didnt create his own thing but re-engineered someone else's work to go this far.
You had to be somewhat technically proficient to be able to play the leak. 90% of the maps were never compiled and a lot of stuff had to be loaded from the console.
I thought Valve only hired think-outside-the-box people, I kind of wonder why they didn't hire the guy.
Probably because he was inside their box before they invited him in? It doesn't really fill a person with confidence when they find a stranger making them breakfast, and they say:
"Oh it's cool I've been here all night watching you sleep. You say funny stuff in your sleep, here I recorded some of it, want to listen? Wait! Put the knife down..."
Besides the skill set that he had going at the time "script kiddie" probably wasn't all that useful to Valve, other than "can you point to the tunnel you used, thanks. Right over here boys, back the cement truck up right... here."
I get that he felt bad but he had to know it was an incredibly stupid thing to do to email Gabe. "Hi, I banged your daughter, your dog and your wife, I hear you have a pretty sizable gun collection and like to go hunting we should totally go sometime considering we have all the same interests..." It can only end well right?
Mark, the way you put it makes a pretty solid point. I'm just saying, in many other places the kid would mint money for selling insider information, so having him around to protect stuff seemed like a good idea to me.
If I learned anything from Aladdin its that if you steal something you should have your hand cut off. That and carpets hands are actually there tassels.
for those wondering why you wouldn't hire someone who did this...
clearly the person's sense of right/wrong is a bit screwed. His actions show poor judgement all around. Clearly he was also not the brightest tool in the shed if he emailed them to say, "my bad dude." seems to me like he was/is a bit of a sociopath too.
Wasn't HL2 in development for something like 6 years?
Not sure about that. HL2 was at a 'tech demo of whatever' stage in 2000-2002 (just rebels stealing tvs and a moving boat at that point). I think the actual development of the game started around early 2003, so i'd probably say 1.8 years. Source started earlier (TF2 always used Source, and some of the early TF2 hype was true about Source)
Of course there's all those texture assets done in production years before then, but the last year seems to be the genesis of what was there. The 4-6 years of development sounds kind of a stretch, and I still don't believe DNF took 13 years.
Looks like even the people that steal from valve are pretty awesome (if this article is to believed). Hope this guy is doing well in the computer security bizz.
I thought Valve only hired think-outside-the-box people, I kind of wonder why they didn't hire the guy.
Seriously? That's their only job qualification? I'd imagine "not being ethically inept dickhead" is pretty high up there too. He seems like a nice kid with a good head on his shoulders nowadays - and clearly smart. But why would they *ever* want to hire him after all that?
good article, some unbelievable decisions on his part though, but he did seem sincere. I wanna know what would of happend if he made it to the US though. Sounds like they were gonna torture him, cut off fingers, drain his blood, 'Jack Bauer' type shit!!!!!
who'd believe that little peevish voice in your head when you read an email:
"Hi! Please send me your copy of hl2 you just downloaded illegally... I wont leak it on the internets... yeah... probably"
he's dumb nothing more.
who would give this guy a job in a security company? Oo
who'd believe that little peevish voice in your head when you read an email:
"Hi! Please send me your copy of hl2 you just downloaded illegally... I wont leak it on the internets... yeah... probably"
he's dumb nothing more.
who would give this guy a job in a security company? Oo
Replies
Nowadays though there are customisable applications that send out robots to scan for network vulnerabilities. When they report back, the application can hack and crack passwords, then upload appropriate parasites to a compromised network. So most of these fiends have little skill, they are just plain criminal scum.
Oh, by the way, I found that slice of information while tracking down that a$$hole that stole google image links to my artwork. It was a thread on a security website regarding a new issue of a russian black market application. Apparently hackers pay monthly for it and it's around a grand for a one year service! I wonder what underground villans are running that?
My jaw dropped.
Having read it It was a pretty sad story, such a talented kid wasting his skills on crime.
GCMP: probably Nortons.
http://io9.com/#!5762602/get-inside-the-real+life-world-of-computer-crime-with-kingpin
Lucky the German police got him before he left, he could of gotten his life destroyed. I wonder what Gabe feels about this now, he almost got him arrested by the FBI. At the time he was probably trying to protect his company.
for me its a naive perception, caused by many medias glorifying headlines like :" got great job after hacking."
for a teenager, thats would be a goal.
I don't know but I think many game company will view them same like art theft, which is bad reputation ....
by the way ..
thats not Hammer editor, that is XSI MOD tool
I have one thing to say after reading this, that it was a Genius hit even if Gembe didnt create his own thing but re-engineered someone else's work to go this far.
But, it made for a good chuckle before bedtime.
Probably because he was inside their box before they invited him in? It doesn't really fill a person with confidence when they find a stranger making them breakfast, and they say:
"Oh it's cool I've been here all night watching you sleep. You say funny stuff in your sleep, here I recorded some of it, want to listen? Wait! Put the knife down..."
Besides the skill set that he had going at the time "script kiddie" probably wasn't all that useful to Valve, other than "can you point to the tunnel you used, thanks. Right over here boys, back the cement truck up right... here."
I get that he felt bad but he had to know it was an incredibly stupid thing to do to email Gabe. "Hi, I banged your daughter, your dog and your wife, I hear you have a pretty sizable gun collection and like to go hunting we should totally go sometime considering we have all the same interests..." It can only end well right?
Would you want to work alongside someone who'd leaked 6 years of your work? :P
for those wondering why you wouldn't hire someone who did this...
clearly the person's sense of right/wrong is a bit screwed. His actions show poor judgement all around. Clearly he was also not the brightest tool in the shed if he emailed them to say, "my bad dude." seems to me like he was/is a bit of a sociopath too.
http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html
Not sure about that. HL2 was at a 'tech demo of whatever' stage in 2000-2002 (just rebels stealing tvs and a moving boat at that point). I think the actual development of the game started around early 2003, so i'd probably say 1.8 years. Source started earlier (TF2 always used Source, and some of the early TF2 hype was true about Source)
Of course there's all those texture assets done in production years before then, but the last year seems to be the genesis of what was there. The 4-6 years of development sounds kind of a stretch, and I still don't believe DNF took 13 years.
That guy sounds like a pretty big doucher. Of course he ain't gonna get hired. He values peer approval over ethics.
I like how the police broke in with guns pointed at him and then were like "oh ya u can make sammich its cool lolz"
He deserves a second chance, just not at Valve though, ever.
Seriously? That's their only job qualification? I'd imagine "not being ethically inept dickhead" is pretty high up there too. He seems like a nice kid with a good head on his shoulders nowadays - and clearly smart. But why would they *ever* want to hire him after all that?
edit: also what vig said :P
"Hi! Please send me your copy of hl2 you just downloaded illegally... I wont leak it on the internets... yeah... probably"
he's dumb nothing more.
who would give this guy a job in a security company? Oo
whuh? are you sure you read the right article?