The Evolution of Web Defacement and the Need for Self-Regulation

A few years ago, web defacements were largely limited to individual sites, conducted by small groups of security enthusiasts with a bone to pick. Whether it was a political message, a technical statement or an expression of love to a girlfriend, . . . A few years ago, web defacements were largely limited to individual sites, conducted by small groups of security enthusiasts with a bone to pick. Whether it was a political message, a technical statement or an expression of love to a girlfriend, the cracking of websites had a certain allure to them that made even the medium-level enthusiast raise his or her eyebrows.

Those days are gone.

Today, large groups of loosely-affiliated people work to attack as many websites as possible - cracking hundreds of sites in a single action. Taking the fun out of it. Replacing a well-researched site "hack" with a McCrack. With actions that defy the mantra of exposing vulnerabilities in an ethical way, the burgeoning community known as `script kiddies' are contributing to their own downfall.

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