============================================================================= PHUK MAGAZINE - Phile 1 of 10 ============================================================================= ----------------------------------------- CHANNEL FOUR DOCUMENTARIES SUCK - Phuk-Ed ----------------------------------------- That recent documentary on channel four sucked. Just what we needed was some stupid media c*nts telling the entire world that we were all boxing throught Hawaii Bell. For some strange reason this line died very soon after the documentary .... are we surprised? I think not. At the same time horror stories about people being charged for boxed calls through 0800 numbers began to circulate, stories of beeing fed straight into overseas operators when using Country Direct numbers, along with a whole slew of paranoia, which may or may not just be disinformation designed to discourage boxing in th UK. For example, I recently leeched a tfile from a UK bbs that claimed that from 10-02-94 BT have been monitoring all free phone numbers from the base in Blackpool, and that the information is also going to the BT investigations dept at Milton Keynes. The person writing the tfile claims to be a contracter linked to BT, and that Channel 4 had contacted BT before the documentary was screened and that this resulted in the circulation of a confidential memo was sent to all system & exchange managers asking what steps can be taken. Apparently suggestions ranged from "put filters on the line", via "link all 0800 calls to a billing machine" to "change all the numbers". Well the many of the numbers HAVE changed, and even the merest hint that all 0800 calls are getting routed into a computer and analysed to check if they are legitimate data/voice/fax calls is enough to give any phreak the willies! He also claims that "any questions can be directed to bt internal investigations on 0800-890-999, ask for extension 131". [Does anyone know if this number is really the BT investigations unit??]. We do not need this type of paranoia, and all because of one stupid documentary! The documentary itself was pathetic. Programming your computers to do continuous directory listings might look good to the media vampires, but to anyone with any computer literacy it just looks stupid. Showing the two anonymous hackers inside a Brighton phone box with what must have been the BIGGEST tape machine you could possible carry (can't show Walkmans can we now guys!) while boxing using a tape was hilarious. Showing them dial up an American sex line while they were saying in essence that this is a line for all the sad computers spods who can't get a girlfriend, was a joke. The whole chunk of credit card fraud at the end, bleeped as if they were giving away vital information, (of course no-one knew about credit card fraud before!) was a useful ploy used by the documentary to discredit hackers (look middle classes, your credit is under attack ... better lock those hackers up quick!!). This documentary should act as a warning to any hackers who might consider getting involved with the media in any way. They can, and WILL distort what you say by selective editing and voiceovers. They can and WILL sensationalise hacking in an attempt to increase ratings and thus advertising revenue. Luckily at least one person in the known universe is trying to put together a film that shows hackers and phreakers in a more favourable light ... and we here at PHUK magazine wish her the best of luck! Phuk-Ed. +++ EOF