Sometime an article comes along that is just beyond the traditional sort of hype I usually rant about. In other words its just plain wrong. “How They Popped The Penguin: The Bash Attack And What It Means For Linux Data Security” by Michael Venables, which somehow got posted to Forbes, of all places, is one of those rare pieces of…well, I’m even going to call it journalism. There is absolutely no fact checking whatsoever and according to the person interviewed for the article some of the facts are just entirely made up. Instead of me ripping this article apart line by line like I usually do I will instead share with you a list of a few of many many tweets that were posted in response.
“this is the most ridiculous, breathtakingly stupid article I read this year.”
“not even trying to do basic research or reach out to verify facts is failing at doing your one job.”
“I’m afraid I am putting @mpvenables on my bad list of journalists to never talk to. This also affects Forbes rank.”
“how did you guys read that? I got bored around paragraph 2”
“the new journalism: get the twitterverse to fact check, issue a correction later. #clownshoes”
“holy shit, I think I know what we’re submitting to hackin9 next time!”
“L M F A O”
“I’ve not seen a more clueless piece of journalism ever. Pwnie nomination”
“You are kidding right? This is not news.”
“Most retarded security article ever. When you don’t know, stfu ! WTF Forbes ??”
“that article made me want to open a vein. Thanks, @mpvenables.”
“PR person sends me a Bash Attack story on Forbes. I read it. I’m sorry I did. The hacker in me will sit and rage in silence.”
“I feel dumber for having read (half of) that”
“This is a great example of really really bad security journalism. Look upon it and weep.”
“”Dot so Good Anymore: The ‘ls -a’ Tactic and What It Means For Linux Hidden Files” #UpcomingForbesArticles”
“OMG that Forbes article. Facepalm city.”
“BRB OWNING SOME LINUX BOXES WITH A SOPHISTICATED BASH ATTACK”
“Good that Plaestinian hackers did not use the bash attack!”
UPDATE:
Perhaps a little late but the glorious Tumblr blog @sec_reactions has several posts on this article here, here, here, and here.
Some twitter quotes collected by @quine.