Hacking of dog records doubted

Press, 24 January 1986, Page 4

Hacking of dog records doubted

PA Auckland Dog control authorities have denied assertions that computer hackers could tap their records but say they are required by law to make records available to the public. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said dog thieves were using inside information, possibly from council records, to identify houses where expensive pedigree animals were kept. More than 30 pedigree dogs had been taken from Auckland homes since Christmas.

Dog control centres and local bodies in Auckland and South Auckland said a computer hacker could not dial into their computers. Anyone lifting information from their re-

cords would have to use a* terminal within a council building. The Hydatids and Dog Control Act however, re-‘ quired local bodies to make their records available to the public on request. Manukau and Auckland. City dog rangers said requests to see the registration books were very rare.

An Aucklander who tapped into the Harbour 2 Board’s computer last year said it was possible to “hack” into council inhouse computers by con-' necting to a telephone, line outside council build-: lugs. . r t ’t, ,s Breaking security, code* passwords was then-a; matter of “educated, guesswork” and while that could be difficult It wasnot impossible, he said.