World of Hell explained

World of Hell (or simply WoH) was a grey hat computer hacker group that claims to be responsible for several high-profile attacks in the year 2001. It gained attention due to its high-profile targets and the lighthearted messages it has posted in the aftermath of its attacks.

Overview

World of Hell first emerged in March 2001, and has successfully attacked the websites of several major corporations.^[1] ^[2] It specializes in finding websites with poor security, and then defacing it with an advice message. It has used well-known zero day exploits in that period of time.

The group has used the motto "Kiss my a$$ because I 0wn3d yours" in several cases of vandalism but has also used humorous pictures aimed at war, corruption, or other hackers.^[3]

World of Hell was also involved in the cyberwarfare "Project-China".^[4] ^[5]

Members

Cowhead2000, RaFa, FonE_TonE, foney, no|d, dawgyg, Slacker, Messiah-x, Azap, Rubix, goof-athon, delta-x, d1ckw33d, PeCo, JoeGoeL, Divine, x[beast]x, Apocalypse, gl0b4l, spyR0cker.

Supposed attacks

Defense Information Systems Agency, Rolex,^[6] FOIA CIA, PFIZER, Hard Rock Cafe, Virginia State, Microsoft, around 700 sites in one minute,^[7] etc.

Convictions

In 2001 Robert Junior aka Cowhead2000 was arrested. On June 12, 2002, Thomas DeVoss aka dawgyg was arrested. In 2005 Rafael Núñez aka RaFa was arrested.^[8] The fate of the other members is currently unknown.

External links

Web site: Middleton . James . Over 200 websites defaced in minutes . v3.co.uk . 10 Aug 2001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120330013846/http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2001537/over-200-websites-defaced-minutes . 2012-03-30 . unfit .
Web site: Middleton . James . Hacking group spills the beans . v3.co.uk . 9 Apr 2001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120330014014/http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/1996258/hacking-spills-beans . 2012-03-30 . unfit.
Web site: Peter Gothard . DTExpo: "I know I can't hack a bank, but I can hack a person," says ethical hacker . Computing . 2019-12-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191010150627/https://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/news/3082485/ethical-hacker-social-engineering . 2019-10-10 . unfit.
Web site: Lemos . Robert . Campaign seeks to defang Rafa's hacker image . securityfocus.com . 2005-04-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210204013549/http://www.securityfocus.com/news/10868 . 2021-02-04 . unfit.
Book: The Hacker Diaries: Confessions Of Teenage Hackers . Dan Verton. 16 April 2002 . McGraw Hill Professional . 9780072223644 .

Notes and References

Web site: .: World of Hell :. . world-of-hell.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20010721100203/http://world-of-hell.com/ . 2001-07-21 . dead .
Web site: Jaques . Robert . World of Hell hackers on rampage . v3.co.uk . 24 Aug 2001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120926021346/http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2010272/world-hell-hackers-rampage . 2012-09-26 . unfit.
Web site: Middleton . James . World of Hell back on the warpath . v3.co.uk . 14 Jan 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120330013931/http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/1974961/world-hell-warpath . 2012-03-30 . unfit.
Web site: US-China 'Cyberwar' Rates As Amateur Jest . AntiOnline - Computer Security. 2001-05-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20011101050230/http://world-of-hell.com/news/article9.html . 2001-11-01 . dead .
Web site: Click And Bicker / U.S. And Chinese Hackers Explain Their Online War of Words . AntiOnline - Computer Security . 2001-05-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20011101064224/http://world-of-hell.com/news/article8.html . 2001-11-01 . dead .
Web site: Jaques . Robert . Time's up for Rolex website . v3.co.uk . 24 Aug 2001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120330013751/http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2004176/times-rolex-website . 2012-03-30 . unfit.
Web site: Middleton . James . Hell is 700 sites hacked in one minute . v3.co.uk . 13 Jul 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20120330013700/http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/1941705/hell-700-sites-hacked-minute . 2012-03-30 . unfit.
Web site: Rocket-man hacker Rafa arrested . 2022-02-27 . iTnews.