From: "Jeff E. Kinzli" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 13:27:48 -0700
Subject: Hacker, 17, hacks into missile secrets

<http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/news/story.html?in_review_id=613066&in_
review_text_id=582545>

Boy of 17 hacks into missile secrets
by Standard Foreign News Desk

The Pentagon has had its second major intelligence embarrassment in a week
after a teenager in Austria hacked into secret plans, including the location
of US nuclear missiles.

The exploits of Markus Hirsch, 17, come only days after British surveillance
enthusiast John Locker was able to hack into US spy satellite pictures.

Now an FBI team is on its way to Vienna to question Markus. Their big fear
is that Osama bin Laden followers may have enjoyed similar access for
months. 

American protection of its secrets has never been higher since 11 September,
with even the most conservative estimates saying at least £7billion has gone
into bolstering security.

But from the computer in his bedroom, Markus was able to get into the most
classified Pentagon sites, including the one which details the silos where
missiles with multi-megaton warheads are kept.

"Cracking into the Pentagon was child's play," said the teenager. "I know my
way round the internet."

Markus, who lived with his mother in Germany for a while when his parents
split up, eventually moved into a small flat in Vienna where he now lives
alone. 

He added: "I don't know anyone here, apart from my granny, so I surf all
night on the internet." 


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