Utah cyber security experts call for ‘hacking’ education


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SALT LAKE CITY — Recent data breaches at major retailers and computer hacking events have cyber security experts calling for the public to get smarter about online security.

Microsoft and Sony spent Friday trying to fix a Christmas Day hack that prevented gamers from accessing the Internet to log on to use their Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

A hacking group called Lizard Squad claimed responsibility for the service interruption.

“Get used to it because it’s not going to stop,” said Neil Wyler, an information security researcher at www.DC801.org. “And I think the attacks are only going to increase.”

Wyler is among a group of 17 computer experts who share a 3,200-square-foot space in downtown Salt Lake City, dedicated to computer projects and educating the public on how to stay ahead of online hackers.

“People confirming this information saying 'yup, I was able to use this information and it's good to go,’ ” said Danny Howerton as he scrolled through a website selling credit card numbers and full identities, “Because there is money in taking people’s identities.”

The website showed numbers for major credit cards selling for as little $4.50 and full identities for a mere $12.

“How often do people check their bank accounts for a single $19.99 purchase or even a $1.99 purchase?” said Howerton. “But if you make the same transaction with thousands of cards you can make a lot of money.”

It’s these simple tricks of the illegal online trade that these information security consultants are passionate about teaching people as well as how to navigate the online world without becoming a victim.


How often do people check their bank accounts for a single $19.99 purchase or even a $1.99 purchase? But if you make the same transaction with thousands of cards you can make a lot of money.

–Danny Howerton


“We’ve gotten off easy with people just trying to embarrass folks,” said Wyler. “But now a lot of hackers are going after your funds and your identity.”

The first place to begin monitoring your online activity is your credit and debit card accounts. These services are the most vulnerable.

“We’re using 50-year-old technology at stores, the keys to the kingdom, and we swipe it anywhere, everywhere,” said Wyler. “Everybody has some way to swipe that card in their pocket and we haven’t done anything to make that more secure.”

Wyler recommended people watch their bank accounts and statements more closely. “Invest in a service like LifeLock, and immediately replace any potentially compromised cards, regardless of whether the financial institution thinks it’s necessary,” he said.

To be further protected from online hacks, Wyler also said people have to do more than come up with clever passwords; for example, paying attention to software updates on all electronic devices.

“Let’s say your phone pings you and says 'hey there's an update to your operating system,' whether it's IOS or Android, you always want to install those updates because they're fixing security issues daily, almost,” said Howerton.

People also tend to click on links they’re not sure are safe.

“A lot of times people are like 'oh I can get a free calendar or a free widget for my desktop’ and they install that by clicking on the link,” said Lance Buttars, software engineer. “But what comes with it is a lot of malware and spyware that will steal your data.”

One thing the consultants strongly encouraged was that people begin to get smart about cyber security through education.

“And not say ‘It's this computer stuff and I don't understand it,’ ” said Wyler. “Everybody needs to understand it and it's a responsibility to understand it.”

The nonprofit group offers cyber security education classes to the public.

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