Our weekly security information for week 12 points to different places where security information is available. One kind of such places is the so-called "hacker sites", which often have valuable information for those who want to tighten an organization's security. The abovementioned security information discusses briefly the involved risks in visiting these sites.

One of the most impressive sites - a cornucopia of valuable information - was "Packet Storm Security" which was set up and maintained by Ken Williams. This site had a lot of information about exploits in various operating systems and applications,  as well as source code and fixes for the exploits. It was probably the site for security experts as well as those with more dubious interests.

Packet Storm Security web site was moved to Harvard University during spring this year. Soon after it was removed due to allegations from another "underground security group", about improper material on the site.

In week 38 however it resurfaced. The owner of Packet Storm had entered into an agreement with the security company Kroll-O'Gara, and Packet Storm's huge archive is once more available almost intact and with new additions.

Ken Williams wrote in a web page to his supporters:

"To The Supporters of Packet Storm Security:

As you may already be aware, there have been numerous rumors on the Net recently regarding the revival of Packet Storm Security through corporate sponsorship. I am pleased to announce that the rumours are indeed true, and that Packet Storm will now be hosted by Securify, the Information Security Group of Kroll-O'Gara.

I have carefully considered the direction and future of PSS since it was taken down by Harvard, and have entertained innumerable offers from a wide variety of corporate, non-profit, and private entities to host the site. Kroll-O'Gara has presented me with the most impressive vision and plans for PSS. Not only does Kroll-O'Gara intend to preserve the original ideals and intent of PSS, but they have developed an exciting and definitive roadmap for the logical evolution of the site.

(...)"

Packet Storm can be visited by following this link.

At a first glance the site looks impressive. It is a bit more glamorous than the old one, which perhaps is to be expected, when a big organization rather than a single individual, hosts the site.

It still remains to be seen, however, whether "the new Packet Storm" can maintain the high quality which was a characteristic of the old one.

Per Olav Førland