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Packet Storm Security... Wrapped Up
Mike Hudack
OSAll Editor-in-Chief
Itīs been more than a month and a half since Packet Storm Security was taken off the Harvard Web server. It was all AntiOnlineīs fault -- JP e-mailed Harvard claiming that PSS was hosting libelous material about JP, along with erotic material and information about where to find JPīs younger sister. It was all BS -- but it didnīt matter to Harvard -- they pulled the plug.
Packet Storm Security, a high-traffic computer security Web site mantained by Kenn Williams, had long been the number one source for professionals looking for system patches and freeware security tools. When it was shutdown the entire security community joined together in protest.
Many saw the removal of PSS as the final straw in AntiOnlineīs long string of wrongdoings. The Defcon convention saw people picketing outside, protesting AntiOnline. Likewise, OSAll started the Shun AntiOnline site.
Rumors and innuendo ran rampant... some speculated that PSS would never be heard from again, others suggested that "JP should be killed." A mailing list for security professionals was quickly set up to discuss the situation. Suggestions ranged from payment for access to PSSī extensive database to corporate sponsorship of the site.
Ken Williams went offline for some time, saying that he needed some time away. In the mean time the offers poured in from concerned companies such as GTE and Kroll OīGara. Jobs were offered to Williams and entire network facilities and direct backbone access was proferred.
Even so, there was a large problem with such offers -- the site contents were on a hard drive at Harvard, inaccessible to Williams. If the site content couldnīt be retrieved there would be little point in any further action.
The site contents were fortunately Fed Exed to Williams later -- an entire seventeen hard drive straight from a Harvard Web server. The site contents have yet to make it back to the Web, however.
About a week ago, the Hacker News Network published a rumor stating that the Kroll OīGara company was to purchase Packet Storm Security. Kroll OīGara is an information security company which has operated securify.com for some time now. Williams vehemently denied any such rumors, saying that they were jeapordizing the actual deal. The rumor was retracted from HNNīs site the next day.
PSS has been purchased. Kroll OīGara announced it. When asked about why he so vehemently denied the rumors published just a week before, Williams said "the fact that info was leaked at all pissed off KOG quite a bit. I did what I thought I needed to do to ensure that PSS would be back."
The amount that PSS was purchased for is not public but itīs assumed the figure is well beyond the early six digits.
Williams will not be returning to work at PSS, saying he has received an
excellant job at another security firm. Itīs unclear how Kroll OīGara intends to continue PSSī legacy. In discussions with OSAll, the VP for Securify.com refused to say much about plans for PSS, saying only that the basis of the site will continue.
OSAll is hoping that PSS will be brought back -- better than ever. I visited PSS daily and most of our readers did as well.
Related Links On OSAll:
PSS Taken Down
Ken Williamsī Letter
Williamsī Response
Williams to AntiOnline
PSS To Return
PSS Bought
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