Fbi & Secret Service Make Hl2 Related Raids!

DOOManiac · January 2004

<div class="IPBDescription">pwn those hax0rs</div>From <a href='http://www.slashdog.org' target='_blank'>/.</a>
</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>TheXerox writes <i>"According to a <a href='http://squeedlyspooch.com/blog/archives/000072.html' target='_blank'>recent weblog post</a>, a San Francisco native had his house raided by the FBI last week, and 'lost upwards of 9 machines, and lots of misc equipment besides' in a seizure related to the theft of the Half-Life 2 source code from Valve Software."</i> The scanned-in search warrant posted on the site indicates the FBI were looking for <i>"...any IP addresses related to any of the Valve internal or external networks... Valve passwords and/or usernames... any and all items... related to Valve Software, Half-Life, Half-Life 2"</i>, and the <a href='http://www.hungry.com' target='_blank'>Hungry Programmers</a> page mentions that "...several Hungries were raided on January 14th by the FBI and Secret Service, and their computers seized."</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>

The weblog story doesn't even mention what they were searching for, though Page 4 and 5 of the scanned Warrant do.

I also took the liberty of searching the <a href='http://www.hungry.com/people/' target='_blank'>people</a> page on that Hungry Programmer's site and it seems a few of them are involved in the HL community.

I'll post the warrant pages as attachments here because the site w/ them is being slashdotted...

DOOManiac · January 2004

And here's the 5th page

DOOManiac · January 2004

Also guys, remember this post isn't meant for discussion, I'm just reporting the news as I know you are all interested in it. So don't get the thread locked/baleted w/ your insistant opinions and/or bragging of what hax0r war3z you have.

Testament · January 2004

Bah! Damn you! You nullified my post, with your final post!

But honestly, what's the point? The only true potentional danger of the HL2 source code theft was rival companies getting involved with it. Besides, wasn't it just one guy claiming to do the theft and compile it into something semi-playable?

Mullet · January 2004

Good work DOOM. I'm actually impressed that all of this happend! I was starting to loose faith in Valve, but I guess they are pretty serious about those hackers. GO VALVE!

(on a side note: <a href='http://www.gamestop.com' target='_blank'>Gamestop</a> says HL2 will be released sometime around march....PRE ORDER NOW!!!!!11)

Testament · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Mullet @ Jan 20 2004, 12:19 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> (on a side note: <a href='http://www.gamestop.com' target='_blank'>Gamestop</a> says HL2 will be released sometime around march....PRE ORDER NOW!!!!!11)  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
Amusingly, I got my money back on my HL2 preorder a week before the HL2 "alpha" was released to the public. I still don't plan on buying HL2 until at least two good mods are out. So probably once HL2 has been out for at least 6 months.

SoulSkorpion · January 2004

Interesting. The unfortunate thing about <i>software</i> theft is that once it gets out it's incredibly hard to retrieve, so I suppose catching the original cracker is the best they can hope to do. Well, best of luck to them <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

Marik_Steele · January 2004

My guess is that the FBI and Secret Service were called in to help because Gabe Newell was a former Microsoft executive.

When you work in Microsoft, you get contacts.

And you learn <a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=10&t=28603' target='_blank'>how to make sure NOBODY messes around with you</a>. (ignore Sycophant's story for a moment and refer to my 2nd post.) <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

Renegade · January 2004

Now all they need to do is burn "I'm a hacking ***hole" on his forhead, and all will be right with the world.

Marik_Steele · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Renegade @ Jan 19 2004, 09:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Now all they need to do is burn "I'm a hacking ***hole" on his forhead, and all will be right with the world.  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
Now now, let's not be so hasty. Firstly, they can't (or at least shouldn't) punish him until he is found guilty.

Secondly, if he <i>is</i> found guilty, giving him any more identifying marks will take all the fun of challenge out of the hunt <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'>

PseudoKnight · January 2004

We don't even know if he was involved and based on his story it doesn't sound like he was. Don't be so quick to judge.

AllUrHiveRblong2us · January 2004

Boo! Hisss! Bad FBI!

Everyone knows that the HL2 source was leaked by Elves anyway.

darkflame_666 · January 2004

Lol it talks about TF2. The last time I heard about that was in PCGamer and they said it was being delayed because of probs with a real-time chat prog, lol how long has hl had it working, so it might actually be coming with hl2 <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>

Dubbilex · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Marik_Steele @ Jan 19 2004, 09:15 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Renegade @ Jan 19 2004, 09:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Now all they need to do is burn "I'm a hacking ***hole" on his forhead, and all will be right with the world. </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
Now now, let's not be so hasty. Firstly, they can't (or at least shouldn't) punish him until he is found guilty.

Secondly, if he <i>is</i> found guilty, giving him any more identifying marks will take all the fun of challenge out of the hunt <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'>  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
I say take his good hand. His haxing days will be <i>over</i> <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'> !

ZiGGY · January 2004

they were search for, uh, weapons of mass destruction?

RyoOhki · January 2004

Wow, nicely done. It's good to see Valve trying to hunt down the guys who did this (if it is them of course). I hope whoever did steal HL2 gets prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

BlackMage · January 2004

only one thing left to be said:

w00t w00t, fbi didn't screw up! <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'> j/k

AllUrHiveRblong2us · January 2004

I don't understand why everyone wants to persecute the perpetrator of the great "HL2 Caper" as it is known to me. I mean, it's not as if it was a real malicious attack, if it was there probably wouldn't be a HL2 to leak. All this guy did was share the info. A very noble practice if you ask me.

But then again, this coming from a guy who would tell you that copyright laws must burn and that all this stuff belongs to society as a whole anyways........

Gwahir · January 2004

okay, but can I take all your material possessions away from you then?

Mullet · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AllUrHiveRBelong2Us @ Jan 19 2004, 09:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I don't understand why everyone wants to persecute the perpetrator of the great "HL2 Caper" as it is known to me. I mean, it's not as if it was a real malicious attack, if it was there probably wouldn't be a HL2 to leak. All this guy did was share the info. A very noble practice if you ask me.

But then again, this coming from a guy who would tell you that copyright laws must burn and that all this stuff belongs to society as a whole anyways........ </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
I could agree with you on that, but if HL2 was delayed because of this hacker, THEN I SHALL HATE! MUahahahaha

Supposably, we would have HL2 right now if it wasn't for this hacker.... <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'>

[SUPPOSABLY!!!]

AllUrHiveRblong2us · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>okay, but can I take all your material possessions away from you then?</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
Well 1)we're not talking about material possesions, merely information and 2)if you want to take all the information I have and give it to other peopel, go ahead. It's not as if I don't do that on a daily basis anyway.

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Supposably, we would have HL2 right now if it wasn't for this hacker....

[SUPPOSABLY!!!]</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
It ain't the hacker's fault if the software company is being babies about it.

Testament · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Mullet @ Jan 20 2004, 04:19 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Supposably, we would have HL2 right now if it wasn't for this hacker.... <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'>

[SUPPOSABLY!!!] </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
Hahahaha. <i>No</i>.

I brought this up in another HL2 whine-fest. For a game that was so near release date, where was all the hype? The commercials? The flash ads all over Gamespy, the banners on every single site across the face of the universe, and wallpapers? Just wondering...

Mullet · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Testament @ Jan 19 2004, 09:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Mullet @ Jan 20 2004, 04:19 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Supposably, we would have HL2 right now if it wasn't for this hacker.... <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'>

[SUPPOSABLY!!!] </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
Hahahaha. <i>No</i>.

I brought this up in another HL2 whine-fest. For a game that was so near release date, where was all the hype? The commercials? The flash ads ejaculated all over Gamespy's cheap face, the banners on every single site across the face of the universe, and wallpapers? Just wondering...  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
I agree with both of you, cuz I think it was pretty obvious that Valve was NOT ready for the release of HL2. BUT, that's why I said supposably <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

iFire · January 2004

I wouldn't like someone watzing in and taking my computer for an indefinate time even with a warrant. "lost upwards of 9 machines, and lots of misc equipment besides" including what ever he was working on. Why are we so quick to judge them, if our society believes in innocent until proven guilty? Imagine If you are innocent, and the FBI confiscated your computers, which might contain essential and irreplaceable personal/business information, with no promise of return... would you feel hard done by? Nah, you'd probably be fine with it. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

Gwahir · January 2004

to think that information is of less importance shows ignorance to history

CplDavis · January 2004

<img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif'> AHAHAHAHHAHA!!!!

That just made my day!

Software pirates jst got totally PWNED by the feds. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>

Testament · January 2004

Again...wasn't it only one person taking the credit for hacking the source code?

Scum_of_the_Universe · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AllUrHiveRBelong2Us @ Jan 20 2004, 04:14 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>I don't understand why everyone wants to persecute the perpetrator of the great "HL2 Caper" as it is known to me.</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
Enlightened self-interest.
</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AllUrHiveRBelong2Us)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> All this guy did was share the info. A very noble practice if you ask me.</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
It wasn't his/hers to share.

Creepie · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
okay, but can I take all your material possessions away from you then?
</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>

Well 1)we're not talking about material possesions, merely information and 2)if you want to take all the information I have and give it to other peopel, go ahead. It's not as if I don't do that on a daily basis anyway.
</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>

Source code is tangible and can be possessed just like anything else. It is not merely information as you put it. Just because you cannot see or touch something in the standard way doesn't mean it is not real, exists in the real world and constitutes a tangible object that can be possessed. That is a short-sighted and naive point of view.

Therefore, the source code is something tangible that was stolen. Simple dimple.

If you signed up to the ideal that nothing tangible should be possessed and therefore should belong to everyone, then that would be different.

RyoOhki · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>It ain't the hacker's fault if the software company is being babies about it.
</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>

Valve is fully within their legal rights to prosecute the people who stole the HL 2 source code. This could well be classified as an act of industrial espionage; it's the theft of copyrighted material. Regardless of whether this delayed the release of HL2 or not, the people who did this are criminals.

Soylent_green · January 2004

My biggest gripe is that source code was stolen and distributed, I would not care much about the garbage "alpha" they made of it and other resources. Giving out the source is going to help the cheat makers if VALVe doesn't re-make vulnerable portions of the code.

Fbi & Secret Service Make Hl2 Related Raids!

Comments