Web site suspended to thwart hackers

By Kevin Dayton Advertiser Capitol Bureau Chief

The Hawaii Legislatures Web site will close this weekend as a precaution to guard against hackers who might try to break into the system.

The Web site was attacked over the Memorial Day weekend by a group calling itself "Pentaguard." People who attempted to call up the home page were greeted by an announcement: "This page was hacked by H3X0r (Pentaguard)."

No data were lost, but the state had to pay $4,300 to replace six hard drives that were turned over to Honolulu police as part of the investigation into the case, said Carol Taniguchi, Senate assistant clerk.

Law enforcement officers warned the state to take extra security precautions because hackers often are busy during national holidays, according to a memo from House Speaker Calvin Say and Senate President Norman Mizuguchi.

The Legislature Web site will close 5 p.m. Friday and reopen 8 a.m. Monday. It will close again 5 p.m. Monday until 8 a.m. Wednesday.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/localnews15.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), June 28, 2000