We're Sorry, This Area is HACKED
That was the message awaiting unsuspecting AOL users when they visited the Fantasy Library in AOL's Fantasy Fiction Realm. It was the name of the first of 13 files -- all installed by hackers, in place of the library's original content...The description of the first file gave their rationale:
A message from masterD:
Have you ever noticed how dull this file library was? Well, PDT and myself, masterD, decided that it needed to be spruced up just a tad bit. In this library you will find pictures to formerly hacked content areas on AOL showing just how poor the security around this place is. Enjoy the pictures, it's the history of us and our brethren. Oh yeah, a nifty tool most people know about is here, there is more to it than you think so.
-masterD, PDT
A message from PDT:
Howdy folks, and welcome to the Fantasy Forum. Today's fantasy is titled "AOL is a secure world." masterD and I will be taking you on a mystical magical tour. Sit back, relax, and download the fucking screenshots, yo!
The description of the next file -- named "How we hacked it" -- promised to show "what the staffer boy sees =] ". Ten more files offered screen-shots of AOL content areas with modified screens, many of them hacks previously confirmed by the AOL List.The descriptions of those files contained only three words. ("Download this shit.") But the final file -- a 273K file named "MASTER.ZIP" -- was described as Master AOL 2.5, a proprietary, in-house tool used for modifying AOL content. "masterD and PDT own America Online Inc" the library's description announced.
The hacked file library has been recreated below. Clicking on the menu option will bring up the hacker file that appeared in the library, as well its description, and links to more information about the hackers.
Recent hacks
The Hub (3/31/97) GameWiz (4/4/97) GameWiz (Again!) (4/25/97) FTP sites of several AOL employees (4/26/97 through 4/28/97) The New York Times (4/29/97) AOL Glossary (5/9/97 through 5/23/97) Stats Store (5/17/97 through 5/19/97) Thrive (6/12/97 through 6/13/97) Kids Kicks (6/19/97 through....) Fantasy Realm 6/23/97 through....) Academic Assistance Center (6/29/97)
In addition, hackers hit AOL's Court TV area last November.
