Biggest Large Hadron Collider Problem is Hackers, Not Apocalypse

A group of hackers (called the "Greek Security Team") targeted the Large Hadron Collider website last week, making some cosmetic changes to the website but doing no permanent damage, according to spokesmen for CERN. Given the sensitivity of the information being computed in the LHC computer system, though, it's a serious issue to have such security issues arrive so swiftly. Still, with the high profile that the LHC start-up carried with it, it's a sign of our times that it would instantly become a target for hackers.

Of course, given that many (including some posting comments to this very site!) were concerned that miniature black holes might destroy the world, I guess that the first week of "official" LHC operation could have gone much, much worse. Still, right now I believe there's only one beam circulating in the collider, so the high energy collisions aren't even starting yet. There's still plenty of time for those who are looking for a reason to panic to do so.

Related Articles:

• Scientific American - Hackers attack Large Hadron Collider computers to prove they're vulnerable
• ComputerWorld - Hackers Hit Large Hadron Collider Web Site
• PC World - Hackers Hit Large Hadron Collider Site