The Computer Cracker

Hi, I’m Mr Milworm, professional cracker. 1

I’ve been cracking ever since I first put my fingers on a keyboard. Blessed with a brilliantly technical mind, I’ve put my fascination for viruses to good use. I’m a master of cracking codes, deciphering passwords, rewriting source codes, and fatally changing the configurations of computers. 2

I remember my first crack quite clearly. I was about 15, and had spent a couple of years in trying to master the intricacies of cyber crime. The Internet had just started taking its sway on thousands of citizens, and the playing field was wide open. With a couple of friends, who also shared the same interest, I managed to crack a password of a famous porn site. Of course, within two days, the password had leaked across various e-groups, and the website quickly had to change its password. No problems, we managed to dig out the new password too. 3

The first flush of success led to other challenges. In the years that followed, I managed many a cracking coup. I managed to put down the VSNL website, with a cleverly disguised Trojan. I quite liked the touch I gave to the homepage. I put up a frame which said ‘Hello India, doff your hats to the Jack the Ripper of the Internet. Signed, Mr Milworm’. Of course, a group of crackers from Pakistan almost immortalised my name. Six months after I broke in, they managed to paralyse the website for almost a week. Their name: Milworm Crackers. 4

Then, there was the sexy one I pulled off a year ago. Inspired by the Superman sequel, I managed to crack into the Indian server of Citibank. It took me almost a fortnight of hard work to gain access to their countrywide database of accounts. Once I was in, I wrecked havoc. With a simple software program, I managed to divert one paise every day from every account, to my own savings bank account. In just one week, I had made a couple of lakhs. Of course, I had to terminate this program as early as possible to evade detection.5

Which brings me to the point…I want to be caught. I’d love to see someone pit his wits with my skills and manage to track me down. In fact, out of sheer pity for my poor victims, I’ve even left some obvious clues to zoom in on me. But, most organisations are blind. They won’t notice any small diversions in their systems. They wake up only when a large crime is committed. Little realising, that crackers like us, bleed them slowly but very very surely.     6

I’ve done it all. I’ve changed the programming codes on tomcruise.com, in such a way, that all gals who want to access the site are redirected to a site I’ve made for Nicole Kidman on geocities under an assumed name. Serves Tom Cruise right. I hate that bastard. It took his team three days to correct the flaw. 7

I’ve hacked into the private e-mail account of Narayana Murthy of Infosys. He’s a simple man though. None of his mails revealed any business fundas. Just words of wisdom sent to his son and daughter in the USA. He says a mixture of imli and jaggery helps one get ahead in life. Must remember that the next time I’m on a cracking spree. 8

Today, I’m 24 years of age. A pro. I follow some simple principles: never crack from your personal computer. And keep changing cyber cafes every week. It always works. 9

Now, I’m embarking on my most ambitious project yet. I’m trying to gain access to some secret Government files. They’re in a server of the Home Ministry in New Delhi. I’m going to hack in and deface some important documents pertaining to Pakistan and the Siachen Glacier. I’m also going to make public the names of the BOFORS scam culprits. I love my country after all. But, this time, I’ll leave back a calling card. I want to be famous. I want to get arrested, and have correspondents from worldwide media channels taking my interview. I want to claim a permanent place in the Rogues Gallery of Crackers. 10

I realise I have nothing to lose. 11

I have AIDS you see. And I’m glad it’s a virus that’s going to kill me. 12

Serves me right, what say Mr Cruise? 13