FBI arrests 17 in probe into 'top tier' of satellite piracy - GoFuckYourself.com

EscortBiz · 02-12-2003, 01:32 AM

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/20...2-hacker_x.htm

FBI arrests 17 in probe into 'top tier' of satellite piracy
By David Lieberman, USA TODAY

A yearlong FBI undercover investigation snagged 17 satellite hackers nationwide responsible for millions in lost business for DirecTV and EchoStar, the Justice Department said Tuesday.

"We have infiltrated the hacking community in the top tier of sophistication," says Assistant U.S. Attorney James Spertus in Los Angeles. "We've targeted people writing the software. Hackers who used to think they are safe no longer are."

Pirates are estimated to cost DirecTV, EchoStar and their programmers more than $3 billion in lost revenue a year.

The enforcement effort, based in California and called Operation Decrypt, enabled the FBI to track conversations in private chat rooms where dedicated pirates often buy hardware and software ? particularly the smart cards and codes that instruct set-top decoders to descramble satellite signals.

Relatively few programmers know how to write the codes that clear the way for buyers to receive all channels, including pay-per-view movies, sports and events. And they often must keep rewriting the codes to counteract signals that DirecTV and EchoStar send to corrupt the pirates' cards.

Among the people arrested was Randyl Walter, a West Los Angeles resident who pleaded guilty to making hacking equipment that resulted in nearly $15 million in losses to DirecTV and EchoStar. Agents found more than 6,000 devices in his home.

In addition, Joseph Bolosky pleaded guilty to making hacking hardware that resulted in more than $245,000 in satellite losses. And Thomas Emerick pleaded guilty to distributing hardware. Other defendants live in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.

"It's an extremely significant case," says Larry Rissler, who runs DirecTV's Office of Signal Integrity. The key software writers "are usually insulated" because they deal with just a few dealers.

Spertus says that "getting into those circles was very difficult" and was done after agents persuaded a few key people to cooperate. "The software is really a collaboration. And if we can stop that, we'll put a dent into hacking."

RedShoe · 02-12-2003, 01:35 AM

Holy shit, was just two days away from getting one of those hacked satelittle disk cards. I guess I'll be real careful when I pick it up. I'll plan my escape route if it comes down to that.

fletcher · 02-12-2003, 01:40 AM

RedShoe, just keep a subscription on a minimal level. Hit me up on ICQ if you want more info. Not that I've ever done anything like that....

pr0 · 02-12-2003, 02:13 AM

wow....feds love the chat rooms these days

Mr.Fiction · 02-12-2003, 02:16 AM

I feel much safer knowing these satellite hackers are off the street!

Warden · 02-12-2003, 02:21 AM

Fuck that. These guys are no better than scumbags that steal content from your server and drain your bandwidth. I pay for my satellite, therefore everyone else damn well should too.

RedShoe · 02-12-2003, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pr0
wow....feds love the chat rooms these days

LOL, exxxxxactly. Sorry Fletcher, I don't know you, I've never heard of you bro, I mean Fed... I mean Pig... Or whatever you want to be called. The only thing I'll hit you up for Fletcher is some crack. I'm not talkin' bout a couple of rocks, I want kilos... no... I want TONS!!

bikinihouse · 02-12-2003, 04:09 AM

Us people in Canada get that shit for FREE all the time!

AOLGuy · 02-12-2003, 04:13 AM

whew!

thank God my life is safe from the terrors of satellite hackers...

next, we go need to bust those damn jaywalkers...

02-12-2003, 01:32 AM	#1
EscortBiz Fuck Checks, CASH only! Join Date: May 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 19,422	FBI arrests 17 in probe into 'top tier' of satellite piracy http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/20...2-hacker_x.htm FBI arrests 17 in probe into 'top tier' of satellite piracy By David Lieberman, USA TODAY A yearlong FBI undercover investigation snagged 17 satellite hackers nationwide responsible for millions in lost business for DirecTV and EchoStar, the Justice Department said Tuesday. "We have infiltrated the hacking community in the top tier of sophistication," says Assistant U.S. Attorney James Spertus in Los Angeles. "We've targeted people writing the software. Hackers who used to think they are safe no longer are." Pirates are estimated to cost DirecTV, EchoStar and their programmers more than $3 billion in lost revenue a year. The enforcement effort, based in California and called Operation Decrypt, enabled the FBI to track conversations in private chat rooms where dedicated pirates often buy hardware and software ? particularly the smart cards and codes that instruct set-top decoders to descramble satellite signals. Relatively few programmers know how to write the codes that clear the way for buyers to receive all channels, including pay-per-view movies, sports and events. And they often must keep rewriting the codes to counteract signals that DirecTV and EchoStar send to corrupt the pirates' cards. Among the people arrested was Randyl Walter, a West Los Angeles resident who pleaded guilty to making hacking equipment that resulted in nearly $15 million in losses to DirecTV and EchoStar. Agents found more than 6,000 devices in his home. In addition, Joseph Bolosky pleaded guilty to making hacking hardware that resulted in more than $245,000 in satellite losses. And Thomas Emerick pleaded guilty to distributing hardware. Other defendants live in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. "It's an extremely significant case," says Larry Rissler, who runs DirecTV's Office of Signal Integrity. The key software writers "are usually insulated" because they deal with just a few dealers. Spertus says that "getting into those circles was very difficult" and was done after agents persuaded a few key people to cooperate. "The software is really a collaboration. And if we can stop that, we'll put a dent into hacking." __________________ Spanking, Medical Fetish, Sleeping, Strap-on Anal Lesbians, Girls Fucking Guys, Handjob site REAL HOT, Shemales, Anal and Ass Licking sites 100% Real EXCLUSIVE with amazing retention, ccbill payouts, lots of content FREE FTP HOSTING Promote the largest and oldest member paid escort site, Converts 10 times better then any dating site, CCBill payouts ICQ# 158802076

02-12-2003, 01:35 AM	#2
RedShoe 赤い靴 call me 202-456-1111 Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: The Valley Posts: 14,831	Holy shit, was just two days away from getting one of those hacked satelittle disk cards. I guess I'll be real careful when I pick it up. I'll plan my escape route if it comes down to that. __________________ SPECIALTY COSTUMES • PROPS • FX Superheroes • Monsters • Robots PM for details For any manufacturing needs. Adult or otherwise. aka BonsHigh on Insta Bonsai weed plants

02-12-2003, 01:40 AM	#3
fletcher Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 698	RedShoe, just keep a subscription on a minimal level. Hit me up on ICQ if you want more info. Not that I've ever done anything like that.... __________________   [email protected] ICQ: 6411138

02-12-2003, 02:13 AM	#4
pr0 rockin tha trailerpark Industry Role: Join Date: May 2001 Location: ~Coastal~ Posts: 23,088	wow....feds love the chat rooms these days __________________ __________ Loadedca$h - get sum! - Revengebucks - mmm rebills! - webair (gotz sErVrz)

02-12-2003, 02:21 AM	#6
Warden Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 2,906	Fuck that. These guys are no better than scumbags that steal content from your server and drain your bandwidth. I pay for my satellite, therefore everyone else damn well should too. __________________ AIM: ZeeRiddler ICQ: 128160005 Warden's MS

02-12-2003, 02:16 AM	#5
Mr.Fiction Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Free Speech Land Posts: 9,484	I feel much safer knowing these satellite hackers are off the street!

02-12-2003, 04:09 AM	#8
bikinihouse Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 843	Us people in Canada get that shit for FREE all the time!

02-12-2003, 04:13 AM	#9
AOLGuy Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 1,261	whew! thank God my life is safe from the terrors of satellite hackers... next, we go need to bust those damn jaywalkers...