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Attrition (website)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Attrition is an information security-related website, created in October, 1998,[1] which used to be updated at least weekly by an all-volunteer staff. Until 21 May 2001,[2] Attrition maintained the largest mirror of defaced (or cracked) websites available on the World Wide Web. The defacement mirror has since ceased updating.[3] The site contains a variety of information, including movie and music reviews, poetry, and security tips covering topics like forensics, data theft, and security advisories.[4]

In 2001, attrition.org was given a cease and desist order by lawyers of MasterCard for posting parodies of its "Priceless" advertising campaign, which they claim violated copyright law.[5] An argument between attrition.org and MasterCard ensued, resulting in their communications and one final "Priceless" parody being posted online.[6]

In 2006, Republican communications aide Todd Shriber attempted to hire Attrition to crack his former university's website.[7] Shriber was then sacked from his job for attempting to solicit a hacker to inflate his GPA.[8]

Attrition formerly hosted several electronic mailing lists relating to information security, such as InfoSec News. It also maintained the Data Loss Database, which recorded company experienced data breaches.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "WHOIS search results". www.godaddy.com. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  2. ^ Robert Lemos (21 May 2001). "Defaced-site archive retires". CNET Networks.
  3. ^ "Attrition Offs Its Hacker Monitor". Wired. 22 May 2001. Archived from the original on 25 May 2005.
  4. ^ "Index of /security/advisory". Attrition.org.
  5. ^ "Re: MasterCard/Infringement by attrition.org". Chilling Effects (now Lumen). 4 June 2001. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Wrath of the Impotent: Mastercard". attrition.org. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Going Postal". attrition.org. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  8. ^ McNamara, Paul (22 December 2006). "Attempt to hire hackers costs press aide his job". Network World. IDG.
  9. ^ Andy Greenberg (7 October 2007). "The Cybercriminal Inside". Forbes.
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