Hackers try to cause seizures on epilepsy site

Source: MSNBC/AP

Computer attacks typically don't inflict physical pain on their victims.

But in a rare example of an attack apparently motivated by malice rather than money, hackers recently bombarded the Epilepsy Foundation's Web site with hundreds of pictures and links to pages with rapidly flashing images.

The breach triggered severe migraines and near-seizure reactions in some site visitors who viewed the images. People with photosensitive epilepsy can get seizures when they're exposed to flickering images, a response also caused by some video games and cartoons.

The attack happened when hackers exploited a security hole in the foundation's publishing software that allowed them to quickly make numerous posts and overwhelm the site's support forums.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24510864/

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Sick MF'ers!

NOT!

I'm currently in IT school studying security. I'd love to set a little trap for one of these creeps.

You want to try to steal my credit card or give me a virus, go ahead (you won't succeed, but anyway...)

Epilepsy is nothing to fuck with. That's pretty sick.

n/t

...to the support forum or create direct links to other sites"

That bites. :(

If someone did die from this I bet they would be able to track them. A bunch of jail time would be great for these jackasses.


David

I look forward to these weasels being charged with first-degree assault and attempted murder (yes, people do die from seizures).

Some budding sociopath deliberatly trying to cause seizures in people is no way to have fun! And hacking the Epilepsy Foundation's web site just to cause seizures in people trying to control them? That's unconscionable! One of my friends has epilepsy and will get seizures from flickering images. Thank God I warned her.

I hope the authorities catch that bastard and prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law.....

I heard about this happening about a month or so ago, as well.