Hackers converge on LV for conventions

Kevin Ferguson

Wednesday, July 11, 2001 | 11:06 a.m.

Its a meeting of computer security experts and their nemesises.

Computer hackers were set to speak candidly today to a Caesars Palace room full of federal officials and corporate security techies about problems businesses face in the world of computer viruses and software intrusions.

"Respected hackers are giving the unfiltered, nonbiased view of what's going on in the industry," said Jeff Moss, president and host of the Black Hat Conference, noting the conference is strictly informational. "We don't allow any vendor (product) pitches at this show."

A black hat is a term used to describe malicious hackers.

"The conference is to brief security experts what the black hats are up to," Moss said.

Moss said it's not likely that the conference will attract criminal hackers, but rather those who see hacking as a hobby.

"A lot of hackers do it for the challenge and to show their friends that they can break a code," Moss said.

The fifth annual Black Hat Conference, which runs through Thursday, is expected to draw about 1,300 visitors.

Moss said conference speakers discuss the latest in computer vulnerabilities, but they usually fall short of naming software makers that could be targets.

"They're not going to say 'Firewall X is the weakest one I've ever seen,' because the company will unleash their lawyers on (them)," Moss said.

Jeff Jonas, a local computer expert and president of Systems Research and Development, said Black Hat is a nationally recognized conference that addresses software security vulnerabilities for banks and health care systems.

Jonas was a speaker at a Black Hat Conference in February, where he addressed ways companies can detect "the insider," such as an employee who may be downloading a client list and selling it to outsiders.

Def Con Nine, a similar conference, also run by Moss' company, begins Friday and runs through Sunday at the Alexis Park Resort.

"Def Con is like the frat party and Black Hat is the university," Moss said. "(Amateur) hackers in college usually go to Def Con. It's more of a social gathering. Then, when they graduate and get jobs, they go to Black Hat."

Black Hat scheduled speakers include William Tafoya, professor of criminal justice at Governors State University in Illinois, and James Bamford, author of "The Puzzle Palace & Body of Secrets."

Black Hat costs $1,000 per attendee and attract more accomplished speakers, while Def Con relies on volunteer speakers, Moss said. Def Con costs $50 to attend.

"(These conferences) are good ways for amateur hackers to meet the more accomplished hackers," he said.