Hackers break into Large Hadron Collider computer

Hackers broke into a computer system at CERN's Large Hadron Collider, targeting a system that was "one step away" from a control computer, but otherwise appear to have done no major damage, according to a report on Friday in the British newspaper The Telegraph.

The system that was breached monitors the Compact Muon Solenoid Experiment, which will be analyzing data during subatomic particle collisions in the particle accelerator located along the French-Swiss border. Experiments, which began on Wednesday, are designed to help scientists explore particle physics theories.

During the attack on Tuesday and Wednesday, hackers left behind half a dozen files, damaged one CERN file, and displayed a Web page with the headline "GST: Greek Security Team," signing off: "We are 2600--don't mess with us," (sic) CERN scientists told the newspaper.

As a result of the attack, the Web site--cmsmon.cern.ch--was not accessible on Friday.

Fears that the experiments could prompt natural disasters or black holes that would swallow Earth have led to threatening phone calls and e-mails, CERN said.

(Via Graham Cluley's blog at Sophos.)

[n3td3v]

The end is nigh!

[David Gerard]

Maybe they misheard the word "hadron" and were looking for pr0n. http://tinyurl.com/6nhwlu

[xhable]

the control computer is connected to the internet?.. .. anybody out there think that sounds a little weird other than me?

[Tronman161]

My first though exactly, actually.

[med_doc101]

I could not have said it better. My first thought was why is the main control computer connected to the internet. If these people so smart why they did not just have a computer specially for internet.

[jag0]

They'd gotta have access to the pr0n somehow...I mean how else are they going to make time pass by quicker while their waiting for the world to end. LOL

[timber2005]

The LHC is connected to three teirs of computer hardware, because the raw data out is in thousands of exabytes per second. It has to get that down into terabytes, and then transfer portions of that to each teir to run the simulations and calculations needed. Easier to go over the internet than build a private network for all of that across the internet.

[VirtualDavid]

If anyone finds any semi-transparent body parts (specifically my left leg) floating around, would you mind dropping me an email? Tnx

[spiderwebby2]

what do they care if it destroys the earth anyway.
you wouldent have time to get in an OH SHI-
to quote a gorillaz song;
there where no screams. there was no time.

not that it will.

[manees83]

Awesome.....thazz totally awsum.....LHC computer hacked eh? lolz....wat da heck.....These hackers r tryin 2 save us from dying....

[Michichael]

I'm just a tad concerned that control computers are networked in with the rest of the systems... you'd think that they'd have some firewalls and security set up...

[Lerianis]

Actually, you would think that they would have this thing totally disconnected from the internet, in all honesty. There is no reason for this computer to be connected to the internet at all times.

[timber2005]

Well if it DIDN"T have those, it wouldn't be "hacking" would it? Of course it had that!

[dodgeman007]

i too am amazed that this thing was directly on the network, i would figure the control computer would be off grid, and to get to "the net" would require going through several highly secured computers, im not really sure what "damage" they could do if they got hold of the conrols so to speak but still.

[CoderForChrist]

someone is clearly doing their job horribly wrong: http://www.xkcd.com/463/

[unclesamir]

just a word of advice to everyone. always keep your control machines off the internet.

don't think that a firewall will save you.

it not only keeps your machine from being hacked, but it prevents viruses, malware, etc from slowing your machines down.

[never74]

Obviously our friends in the alps haven't seen "Live Free or Die Hard". I'm not smart enought to know how to slam two atoms together, but at least I know to keep my collider off the network. Although, to their credit, the hacked computer was a whole 1 step away, and not in direct control. Why are the French still trying to kill us all?

[JTankers]

Have you seen the video of British comedians discussing the wisdom of creating black holes on Earth. Funny, Funny, Funny!

http://www.videosift.com/video/The-british-joke-about-the-Black-hole-machine

Similar at: http://www.lhcfacts.org/?cat=29

[warrenrichards10]

nah, its a marketing ploy for "Tron 2.0"

[TrueBassPlayersRockNRoll]

I may not be a "techie," but even my musicianship doesn't blind me to headlines such as with CNN reporting on surges being able to physically damage large, expensive, complex equipment let alone the breaking of Australia's $80 mil(?) Internet filter system in less than 30 minutes(?) a little while back.

Surely even I would not be considered crazy for wanting them to take the safety and security of the entire human race a little more seriously than apparently what they are willing/able? to do? Did they not have enough money to put in the firewalls like someone already mentioned? Were too many backdoors installed during the design process/architectural design process/actual construction and only now are people realizing it?

Normally I react to reports of hacking with a black-hat interpretation of the action, but if this person(s) helped blow the whistle on such a glaring weakness, perhaps you'll permit a non-techie to vote right along side of you...

even though I can't understand probably 98% of what you guys are actually talking about! ;>) I still don't even understand the properties of magnetism, let alone how to keep my computer free of viruses for longer than 2 weeks! LOL! ;>)

Yeah...this particular tidbit of news makes me want to go find a six-pack of Budweiser and go sit on my porch trying to remember what it was like before this particular switch is flipped into the "ON" position.

[Placebo1985]

I bet this is actually The Telegraph exaggerating the story to make it sound more sensational. Riding that wave of LHC fearmongering to make some extra money.

[limefan913]

I can't wait to go to a site and see "Large Hardon Collider" as a typo.

[bruceslog]

I don't think the control computer is accessible. The story says that the hackers were able to access a machine that was there to analyze an experiment. That particular machine was linked to the control machine, but was one step away from it. I'm sure that the hackers would have gone for the Gold and entered the control computer if they could have.
I'm sure the scientists involved are fixing any vulnerability that the hackers kindly showed them exists as we speak.

[DylanLange]

Anyone notice the worlds recent decline in EVERYTHING?!?!? Even if smashing 2 Atoms into eachother doesn't have devastating effects on us i really think that the hardron coiler is a waste of money. We have been doing fine until now so why do we need to spend millions on information when we could be helping human kind? Starvation, poverty anyone? NO! We need a hardron Coiler!
#uck the French and anyone who supports this load of #hit

[duckwheel]

you honestly think money spent on starving populations is going to help?? such a self-serving statement and idea: get someone else to give THEIR money to solve a problem which affects you when it comes up on tv.

why dont you give YOUR money?? and i mean ALL of your money. AND all of your possesions which are a result of r&d from EXPENSIVE experiments which could ALSO have been given to poverty and starving children.

see my point? truth hurst doesnt it? good, that means you are growing up. go with it.