[The Everything Bitcoin Thread]

Hey Loonie, nothing to say about the $83k security breach? On Terra CAnadiana no less!!!

[The Everything Bitcoin Thread]

Hacker with access to Canadian ISP stole $83K in bitcoins: researchers

by The Canadian Press | Story: 120774 - Aug 11, 2014 / 2:32 pm

A hacker with access to a Canadian Internet provider hijacked net traffic from large foreign networks to steal more than US$83,000 in virtual currency over a four-month period, a cyber security company said Monday.

Researchers with the U.S.-based Dell SecureWorks said the hacker's attack started last February and stopped in May, after the Canadian Internet service provider (ISP) was notified.

Joe Stewart, director of malware research at SecureWorks, said the hacker targeted firms that hosted servers generating virtual currencies such as Bitcoin — including Amazon in the U.S. and OVH in France — and redirected some activity.

"We were able to track the origins to a Canadian ISP," he told The Canadian Press from Las Vegas, where he was attending a computer security conference.

"Someone had access to a router at that ISP. It had to be someone who managed to hack into that router and gained administrative rights, or someone who already had access."

Stewart said the hacker likely works alone, and could be a former or then-current employee of the ISP.

Pat Litke, another security researcher at SecureWorks, said the firm is "fairly confident" the attacks came from Canada, but the hacker may be based elsewhere.

"To execute the cyberattack, you literally can be anywhere in the world, as long as you have privileged access," he said.

According to SecureWorks, a total of 51 networks from 19 other ISPs were "compromised" in the attack, which also netted the hacker a few dollars in another virtual currency, Dogecoin.

Bitcoins are produced through using programs to solve complex algorithms — dubbed "mining" — a process which also validates the currency's transactions.

Stewart said he noticed the hacking in March when he realized his personal mining — done through one of the affected servers — had been hijacked, and notified the Canadian ISP in May, after which the "malicious activity" stopped.

SecureWorks did not go to the authorities, and it is not immediately known what further steps the ISP has taken.

A spokeswoman for SecurityWorks said the Canadian ISP will not be publicly identified, as is company policy.

Anthony Di Iorio, executive director of the Bitcoin Alliance of Canada, said those affected will likely never recover their bitcoins from the hacker.

"He's pretty good at covering his tracks," Di Iorio said. "The chance of prosecution is very low."

He added that the incident indicates an issue with cyber crime in general, though not necessarily Bitcoin itself.

"This was a security flaw with third-party services," he said.

"People use cash every day and lose cash. There's nothing you're going to be able to do to get it back."

South of the border, federal regulators warned consumers Monday about the risks of using virtual currencies.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued an advisory warning, saying the currencies are not backed by the government, have volatile exchanges rates and are targeted by hackers and scammers. And unlike bank accounts, Bitcoin-based deposits are not federally insured.

[Vancouver Salaries: Lowest in Canada?]

This gave me a laugh reading this.. This is an example of such old school thinking it is almost unbelievable.

I can see this coming from an old timer who grew up in the 9-5 era, with the mentality to put in 30 years of work and retire with benefits. Sorry my friend, those years are long gone. Today we are forced with ever expanding versatile workforce who demand flexibility and movement from one one career to another. People say you will change careers 4-5 times in your life to survive in the modern society.

Let me point out some of the flaws in your argument:

A) Work like an immigrant - that is a joke right? Immigrants are the last to be hired, and the least to be paid. Immigrants come here with 10 years of education and theys still drive trucks and wait tables with PhD's. That is a joke, and you want me to be like that? I was born here, in Canada, I supported this country from the start, it is time it gave something back to me. I am not an immigrant, I think i deserve a little more respect than to work my behind off 80 hours a week, I am more fortunate than that, I am a Canadian citizen and I deserve first dibs on what is available, anyone would agree with that.

B ) No matter how smart you are and how good you think you are, there are 100 people ready to take your job- what a joke. Where did you and so many of the posters on this forum got the idea that somehow the economy is so bad that there are 100 people sitting around bidding on jobs? There are way more jobs than qualified people on the market place, there are tons of jobs available and not enough talent to fill it. No one can do what I can do, I am very driven, I know computers well, I know how to socialize, I know what I am doing when it comes to convincing people and being assertive. There is no way there is even close to 100 people who can do what i can do in Canada, let alone in Vancouver.

Sure I have not theoretically proved it yet on the workplace, but I believe I can do it, and I have the skills required. If I can explain that to the employer they would have no reason to doubt me. I also have no reason to believe there are 100 people who will go against me for any job openings, as any real qualified professional people already have jobs and arent sitting around lazying about. I am sorry the competition for jobs is not as high as you think, 100 people for 1 job? Get real.

C) From the ages of 25 to 29, I was honestly working 75 hour weeks- thats your own fault and your own mistake. I am not planning to work any more than I have to, 40 hours a week max. I have other interests in my life than work, I like to hang with my girl, chill with my buddies, I play video games and I like to hang out at the beach etc. It is pathetic that you wasted your youth busting 75 hour weeks, that is nothing to be proud of. My goal is not to work beyond what is required, in our society your value isnt measured by amount of time invested its by the quality of work you bring and the results you bring. I can do in 40 hours what you can do in 80, this is the difference between you and I my friend, work smarter not harder is my tip to you.

D) I had to show my employer (and future employers), that I could work my tail off without complaint- this is the philosophy of people who think " you have to pay your dues" to make it. A old school, out dated and archaic philosophy. These days you dont have to prove anyhting, you have to come off as an assertive, confident and knowlegable person. If you can convince the hiring manager you can do it then you are in, this is my plan and I have no doubt I can pull it off. You want to be exploited by the system and work endless hours to prove your self that is your mistake. As I am a highly qualified specilaist who is a graduate of one of the best universities in Canada (SFU) I think I am entitled to a bit more than the average joe with my salary expectations.

A true employee can request certain break times, work hours expected, bonuses, vacation days and sick days are all negotiable, I intend to make the most of mine. I am not a weak person to accept whatever is given without negotiation, this is why I am ahead of others my age and in my position, not because I will work longer or more, but because I will negotiate a better start.

Too funny. You are going to get Throat-punched by life.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

[Vancouver Salaries: Lowest in Canada?]

As I said to him in one of his other threads...

White collar resume but Blue collar work ethic.

He argued against that logic.

I'm sorry but this makes zero sense to me. Blue Collar work ethic? lol

Hey, I agree, most of these snotty self entitled 20 somethings don't deserve much of what they think they do but, on the other hand, if you shoot for the stars what is the worst that can happen? You end up at a 30-40k/yr job. So why not go for 60 or 70k?

That's always been my approach and it has served me well. In life, the real risk is in taking no risk at all, because then you have nothing to gain. If you are at a shitty dead end job, you have to realize that the worst that can happen is that you'll end up at a shitty dead end job, which is where you started, so go for it. Demand what you think you are worth and you might be surprised at what will happen.

[Vancouver Salaries: Lowest in Canada?]

Regardless of how you feel about the op, he does bring up some interesting points re salaries/expectations.

The majority of posters here laughing at his expectations shows me that they simply lack the confidence to achieve and ability to visualize a 6 figure income. Granted, working for someone else is usually not the way to get there but the first step is being able to imagine it.

Cliche but true.

In my experience, being unwilling to settle for less will either get you what you want, or send you down the road to newer opportunities where you can achieve what you want. It's all do-able, if you can envision it.

Also, there are an infinite number of ways to achieve something like 100k/yr. Unfortunatley, getting a 9-5er usually isn't one of them. It may be part of the equation, depends on your drive and your brain power and your risk tolerance. Multiple income streams is where it's at for regular joes.

So laugh it up, because telling yourself something is impossible is a sure fire way to make it impossible. True story.