Draft:r00t
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r00t is a computer hacker supergroup and charity fundraising organization founded in 1994 in New York City. The group originally started as a joke and parody of other noteworthy hacker groups of the early 90s.[1]
History
[edit]Founded on April 3, 1994 by Hosaka and t3, r00t became known for posting parody or off topic security advisories such as a race condition in the Littermaid Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box to Bugtraq,[2][3].
On November 8, 1996, r00t member Aleph One (Elias Levy) published the article Smashing the Stack for Fun and Profit[4] in Phrack Magazine, which was one of the earliest technical breakdowns of how hackers could exploit a Buffer Overflow vulnerability to compromise computer systems.[5]
On May 19, 1998, seven members of L0pht and several r00t members including Space Rogue (Cris Thomas) testified in front of Congress that they could shut down the entire Internet in 30 minutes.[6]
On August 10, 2024, members of r00t, Cult of the Dead Cow, Masters of Deception, Legion of Doom (hacker group), and 2600 Magazine discussed the evolution and history of Hacking at DEF CON 32.[7]
r00t, known for their expertise in computer security, played a significant role in shaping the Information Security industry in the 1990s and 2000s. Members of the group went on to found several prominent companies and research organizations, including Internet Security Systems X-Force, which was later acquired by IBM in 2006. Other notable ventures include SecurityFocus, Guardent, which was acquired by VeriSign in 2004, @stake, Endgame,_Inc., Bastille Networks, and Phosphorus CyberSecurity. Additionally, they contributed to globally recognized Information Security standards such as Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE), CVSS, and CVRF.[8]
In recent years, the hacker group r00t has made a significant shift in their activities, moving away from their traditional hacking practices and towards more philanthropic endeavors. They have begun organizing auctions of hacker memorabilia, with proceeds going to various charities such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation,[9] The Internet Archive, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention,[10] Operation Safe Escape, and Girls Who Hack.[11] These auctions provide an opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to own a piece of hacking history, while also supporting important causes. The group's new direction reflects a desire to use their skills and resources for positive impact, rather than causing harm or engaging in illegal activities. As of October 26, 2024, r00t had raised over $11,000 for various charities.[9]
Notable Members
[edit]- Mike Park - Hosaka, founding member, passed away in 2003.[12]
- Elias Levy - Aleph One
- John Threat - Corrupt, member of the Masters of Deception, hacker, futurist, security advisor, artist, professor, and writer/director.
- Deth Veggie - Member of the Cult of the Dead Cow.
- Paul Nash - Silicosis, member of the L0pht Heavy Industries.
- Cris Thomas - Space Rogue, member of the L0pht Heavy Industries.
- Peiter Zatko - Mudge, member of the Cult of the Dead Cow, L0pht Heavy Industries.
References
[edit]- ^ Beyond HOPE: The r00t Panel and Closing Ceremonies on August 10, 1997. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
- ^ Bugtraq Mailing List: March 7, 1998.
- ^ FlashPoint: The Journey to 300,000 Vulnerabilities: The Good, The Bad, and The Bizarre. November 21, 2022.
- ^ Smashing The Stack For Fun And Profit: Phrack Magazine. November 8, 1996.
- ^ Time to Stop Smashing the Stack: Medium December 21, 2003.
- ^ Timberg, Craig (June 22, 2015). "A disaster foretold — and ignored". The Washington Post. Retrieved Oct 24, 2024.
- ^ Def Con 32 Hacking Conference:CULT OF THE DEAD COW & Friends Present: Prime Cuts from Hacker History - 40 Years of 31337 August 10, 2024.
- ^ Anthropological Map: Where Warlocks Stay Up Late Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ a b r00t0wns: August 2, 2024 via X
- ^ r00t0wns: April 3, 2024 via X
- ^ r00t0wns: July 6, 2024 via X
- ^ restincode/restincode: July 24, 2003. Michael Park (Hosaka) #199
External links
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