50 hackers to take part in server-cracking contest
Hackers will be challenged to penetrate a variety of computer networks early next month with no threat of punishment if they are successful, a network security firm said yesterday.
Parinya Homanek, managing director of Net En Tel Co Ltd, said the first hackers' conference in Thailand would be held on September 3 and 4 with a network of more than 50 powerful servers set up specially for them to try to hack into.
The conference is being held to demonstrate the possible vulnerabilities of various severs so that system administrators will be able to plug the security gaps that leave them open to unlawful hacking attempts.
Parinya said 50 people would be invited to participate in the hacking demonstration. So far, 45 computer experts have applied. Each participant will be charged Bt15,000.
He said if there is any money left over, a winner might be selected to receive a monetary reward.
The applicants so far include university students and lecturers, system administrators and police computer experts.
"We will pretend the 50 servers belong to the network of a famous company. The 50 participants will try to hack into the systems," Parinya said.
Hacking conferences are regular events in the United States. Earlier this year, a similar event held in the Netherlands attracted thousands of system administrators, he said.
