The Hacker's Encyclopedia 1998

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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- = = - -=>PHANTASY<=- - = = - A PUBLICATION AND NEWSLETTER OF - = = - THE - = INTERNATIONAL = - INFORMATION - = RETRIEVAL = - GUILD - = = - Hacking,Phreaking,Anarchy,Survivalism,Commentary - = = -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Volume Number Four,Issue Number Seventeen Dated 05/25/93 Editor is Mercenary : mercenar@works.UUCP Article Submissions: The Mercenary/IIRG 862 Farmington Avenue Suite 306 Bristol,Ct 06010 IIRG World Headquarters BBS: The Rune Stone 14.4K HST Courier All H/P/A, 3000+ Files (203)-832-8441 NUP: Conspiracy Table of Discontents: [1] Local Lamer Update A Tale of Jealousy in (203) By: Mercenary [2]: SIN CITY BBS: Valgamons Story Written and typed by Valgamon on May 9, 1993 Article Edited By : The IIRG [3] Reply to Comments By: The IIRG [4] John C. Dvorak Hype By: Saint Anarchy [5] How to Waste a Perfectly Good Friday Nite!! (Or attending the Danbury,Ct. 2600 Meeting) By : Mercenary and Anubis [6] FOR THE PEOPLE Supplied By: Those Wacky Secret Service Agents Edited by: Mercenary 1. The We Can't Keep A Secret Service 2. Who's The Wierdos In Shades?? [7] The Rumor Mill (Unconfirmed Rumors From the Underground) Edited By: Mercenary 1. A Message From The Phantom 2. FREE BIRD Crashes to the Ground [8] Crystals,Crystals, Everywhere..... By: Mercenary and Saint Anarchy [9] PHANTASY TIDBITS: News and Views of Interest 1. ALPHA AXP Systems Available on Internet 2. Taiwan Quick to React 3. VLSI Behind Clipper Chip 4. Cops Seize Home Computer In Rude Sign Case 5. Im Sorry Sir, We Can't Land, Bill's Hair Is A Mess 6. ATM Scam - A Text Book Operation [10] Listing of IIRG Distribution Sites [11] Listing of PHANTASY Distribution Sites -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- OFFICIAL DISLAIMER... All information in PHANTASY is from USER contributed material The Publishers and Editors of PHANTASY and THE IIRG disclaim any liability from any damages of any type that the reader or user of such information contained within this newsletter may encounter from the use of said information. All files are brought to you for entertainment purposes only! We also assume all information infringes no copyrights and hereby disclaim any liability. PHANTASY is (C) 1990 by The IIRG IIRG and INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION RETRIEVAL GUILD is (C) 1982 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Section [1]: Local Lamer Update By: Mercenary As promised in Phantasy Issue 16, here is a partial transcription of a tape supplied to the IIRG by an anonymous donor thru an IIRG member. Now I've reviewed the entire tape, and this is the only area of it that I find relevant to the story or truly interesting. The mentality of the person recorded on this tape, (Player #3) leaves something to be desired. Now (Player #1) has sent me e-mail which I provided to you in Phantasy 16. By the contents of this tape he seems to be innocent, and I would hold blame against (Player #3) in this sordid little tale of jealousy and back-stabbing. The hacking world should be based upon the ideal of free information and the free exchange of ideas for all. If any sysop has this user on their system and you can identify Him, I would urge you to delete his account as this individual does not deserve any form of access and could not be trusted in the hacking community. The IIRG takes care to protect everyones Identity, so we've only used the culprits first name. I know this may seem like more than he deserves, but alas how can one preach ethics If he doesn't practice them. If the individual who was responsible for this incident reads this, I would urge you to reconsider your values, take some time to grow up, and most importantly of all - Sell Your Computer - We don't need your kind in cyberspace. I know our judgement may seem harsh to some, but we'll let you decide for yourselves after reading this little play constructed for your enjoyment by the human values of jealousy,envy, and mental unstability. PS: Many thanks to the individuals who sent this our way, it caused much merriment and hysterics at several IIRG meetings. A TALE OF JEALOUSY IN (203) (Transcribed from a Recording of a Phone Converstion among the Players) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Players: 1. Lou 2. Rocky 3. Jason ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3: I didn't Fuckin do that 1: The only thing... 3: How the fuck would I know everbodys handle on the pirate.... 1: The only thing that I.... 2: Alot of people don't know who... 1: Jason,Jason I will swear to God right now, the only thing that I posted that was accusatory to you was what you had Ok'd on the phone that didnt... 3: What do you mean that I'd Ok'd... 1: Listen the thing that I'd typed up... 2: You had said it was Ok 1: Listen, the thing that I'd typed up that night when we were on the phone and when you were talking about it, that thing, after I read the whole thing to you you said oh-hoh, you didn't say you didn't want it posted, You didn't give any negative feelings towards it whatsoever. So I posted it, it had nothing to do with trying to get you in trouble, it was merely, it was like a newspaper article, it had, it wasn't look "Oh everbody go kill Jason because he did this." 3: The next day fuckin Stargazer called me up with Eddie, thinking.... 1: Well now the whole things blown out of proportion. Because what started out as an informing article has become.. 2: Something else. something that has nothing to do with Lou, Lou's now fucked entirely. 1: Well the thing is here, since um..., Rob and AJ were on the phone at the time that you were talking about this along with me. They have a,... They've talked to sysops and they've gotten sysops to listen and they're as you know they're very credible in the modem world and they got sysops to listen. And sysops now believe, for the most part anyway. But the, the damage isn't completely undone. But most sysops now believe, based on what AJ and Rob tell them, and from their accounts of listening, that I am innocent in every respect to this and that I had nothing to do with it other than taking it down and posting it. 2: You didn't do anything... 1. I only posted.. 2: Other than talking to them on the phone and that was stupid 1: Right 1: I only posted what you had said was Ok, the night that I had wrote it. 3: I never said that was Ok,I thought it was funny,but I never said it was Ok. 1: Well if you thought that, you should have said, well thats great Lou, don't upload it anywhere or don't post it...You Know?? But I mean... 2: You have a mouth, you use it alot. If you really objected you would have said something. Your a Bullshitter. 1: And if you were afraid of being caught, then you would have told me.. "Oh, No-No, Don't,Don't Don't..." You Know?? So that just... 2: Hey smartmouth, you always hear what you think. If that was true, you would have said something. 1: Exactly, now listen, I'm doing the best, I'm doing the best to get my name cleared up. In this case I think the best thing to do is just tell, if you wanna get un-blacklisted if you think you are, or if you just want to get back in the good graces of local sysops. The best thing to do is just tell them exactly what you told me, exactly what you said to the S.P.A. Sure... 2: Tell them you did it as a joke, maybe that will help. 3: Thats because I didn't give them anybodys name. 1: Well... 2: I thought you gave them like everybodys. 1: Well, Listen if you post that, if you post that, then ah.., then things will be Ok. I mean I know. I'm gonna tell you right now, thats not the whole truth. 2: Yeah, because Jason, you have'nt said anything lately. 1: Because I heard, I..... 3: Well thats because, I have'nt been able to get on the fuckin boards, every local board. Deathstar hasn't answered for me, its been busy the last half hour. I've been lettin it ring. 1: I,I,I, will stake my ah.., I will,I will,I will risk my life right now, I will swear on my life that you,that you gave Vinnies board number to the SPA, Because I heard you do it. I was on the phone when you did it and you can't deny it, because you did do it. Now if you post that to sysops because that is the truth, if you post that. First of all the SPA never got back to you did they?? 3: NO 1: So if you post that to sysops, look I gave the the number but the SPA never called me back anyways, so it doesn't matter. Because if they were going to take any action they would have called me back. They probably thought it was a little prank. From what I understand, some users heard about it and then they called up the SPA and said that you were their little brother playing a joke. Ok so that.... 3: Which users?? 1. That probably prompted the SPA to say, "Oh this is bullshit, will just ignore it and throw the number out. That is what probably happened, because thats what I heard some kids did. Now.... 3: Like who?? 1: They Saved your ass by doing that, because if they hadn't done that. The SPA wold have taken your call "Seriously" and would have taken some action and we would all be screwed. 2: Especially you. 1: Now listen... 3: Why me?? 1: Because your the one that did it. Now listen.... 3: SO 1: If you post... 3: I didn't do it... 1: Oh My God!! Just don't deny it Jason 2: Jason 1: If you, If you deny it, then things will just get completely worse. 2: Jason, I think you can say it to us, we know... Jason, I was on the phone.... 3: Im glad, I hope it gets worse. 2: Jason, I was on the phone, AJ was on the phone,Lou was on the phone. You can say it in front of us. Were not gonna go "OOOooo Guess what happened". Like I dont give a shit. 1: We all thought of it as a joke. 2: The only thing Im worried about is my Board stays up. 3: Now I don't ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A complete copy of The Jason Tape may be Purchased for Personal Review The Tape along with a Disk Containing All IIRG Releases may be obtained by Sending a Check or Money Order Payable to CASH for $10.00 to: Mercenary/IIRG 862 Farmington Avenue Suite 306 Bristol,CT. 06010 ATTN: JASON TAPE All donations will be used to further the IIRG Archives and cover Costs Allow 2 to 3 Weeks for delivery -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Section [2]: SIN CITY BBS: Valgamon's Story Written and typed by Valgamon on May 9, 1993 Now I have tried to clear my mind before I wrote this... to ward off all outside influences. Because I want the public to know the TRUTH about the demise of the Sin City BBS, so they can do away with all the HYPE and DIS-INFORMATION. The basic story is, I was a user on this BBS. I had an agreement with the SysOp (The Plague) that I would supply him with "0-day 'zines," (electronic magazines given to the Plague on the same day that they were published) in exchange for unlimited download access. Now, granted, some of you out there are scratching your heads and wondering, "How could the Plague be so dumb? That deal's not fair!" Well here's why... The Phantom, SysOp of the Legion of Doom BBS (also in Waterbury), was also after my 'zines. He wanted to get them before the Plague. (Apparently the two boards were in heated competition). But Phantom made no offers to me... he just wanted them and that was it. So obviously I turned to the Plague to see what his setup would be. He offered me the aforementioned plan. But a crucial factor of this plan (which I adhered to even up to the HOUR of Sin's expiration) was that I make my 'zine supply EXCLUSIVE to The Plague. This prospect infuriated the Phantom, who immediately lowered my access on his BBS. But I didn't care, I had no ratios on Sin! Things went well for a few weeks. Under the handle "Dolph Lundgren," (yes the guy from Universal Soldier and Masters of the Universe and Rocky 4, etc), I kept a steady stream of 0-day 'zines coming in to the City, and I flexed my downloading muscles as well. But I NEVER leeched beyond what I felt was a reasonable amount, based on what I sent up. I did what I would have wanted the Plague to do for me if the situation was the other way around (do unto others, bla bla). So things are going great. I get the files I want and he gets the 'zines he wants. NO PROBLEM. If left uninterrupted, this setup would have probably continued to this day. Unfortunately, this was not the case. JASON L*****, a high school junior from Wallingford, takes a major role in this case starting now. You all probably shudder at the mention of his name, and subconsciously start hiding boxes of floppies and preparing to nuke your hard drives. I am not surprised. Even before this whole incident, Jason had a track record of turning in boards (Thunderstorm/Vampire Connection 2, Firezone, Brigade, etc) and the sysops of those boards will confirm this. Before he ever came into the picture, Jason was ALREADY a HATED SPA informant. Audio tapes of tapped phone conversations (in which he boasted about busting boards and uploading viruses) were made into Soundblaster .VOC files and played on speakers across the state. In fact I personally called up some Sysop friends of mine and made sure that they heard these tapes. There was no doubt as to whether or not it was Jason doing the talking; they had all spoken to him before (some had even been prank-called and threatened by him). So let's just establish that Jason's credibility was already PROVEN to be LOW, if not NONEXISTENT, before this whole thing started. Now, what he did in relation to Sin...oing about it? Whats the CPSR doing about it?, I've read all their press releases and have spotted nothing. Could such a gross infraction of a sysops rights actually be going on. I personally don't think so. Opposing View Points Welcome..... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Section [5]: How to Waste a Perfectly Good Friday Nite!! (Or attending the Danbury,Ct. 2600 Meeting) By : Mercenary and Anubis On May Seventh, Anubis and myself headed down to the Danbury mall to check out the advertised meeting in 2600 Magazine. We were not expecting a large crowd but we had visions of at least say 8-15 people possibly attending. We'd prepared for the evening by getting the malls rent-a-cops frequency and programming it into my scanner. On an earlier trip to the we noticed that the payphones listed in 2600 were directly across from the malls security office and we didn't want any situation like what happened at the Pentagon Mall 2600 meeting. After picking up Anubis, we headed out on the highway for the 45 minute trek. We were already running slightly late because I had to work late, and Anubis was dragging his feet like usual. Now the ride was going well and we had some speed metal jamming on the car stereo when all of a sudden around 1 curve the traffic came to a complete stand still, Now I don't mind driving, but I absolutely hate waiting in lines. So after wasting another 1/2 hour for the rubber-neckers to see some guy over heated on the side of the road we finally arrived at the mall. Now after checking the scanner on the way in and doing a quick visual scan of the area, we approached the meeting site. There was one person on the payphones, but somehow I didn't envision a 65 year old chain smoking gray-haired female hacker. After waiting about 10 minutes I noticed 2 individuals approaching the payphones, one was carrying a copy of 2600 magazine. Great we thought here comes start of the crowd. But after approaching them and identifying ourselves we learned that these 2 individuals were just attending for the first time also. Needless to say we were the only individuals to show up at the mall and the trip was a complete waste of time. To the individuals who originally may have organized the Danbury meetings we would ask why you didn't contact 2600 to inform them that you were no longer having meetings. And to 2600 magazine, why dont you confirm the meetings you list?? We even contacted your 700 Number to confirm the meeting. PLEASE STOP LISTING DANBURY, or Contact the Individual responsible for the meetings and ask him whats up.. Fed up and Disgusted.... Mercenary and Anubis -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Section [6] FOR THE PEOPLE Supplied By: Those Wacky Secret Service Agents Edited by: Mercenary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We've decided to change the format of For the People to bring you news from your favorite buddies, and mine, The United States Secret Service. Since the "Established Media" likes to keep the men in shades out of the spotlight as much as possible, we'd like to turn ours on. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE WE CAN'T KEEP A SECRET SERVICE Well it seems the ole' boys in shades are ticking off the Prez and his First Lady. It seems that some of the Secret Service Agents are revealing some personal Information that the Clinton's would like left personal. As a matter of fact, it seems that an Official of the Treasury Department has delivered an ultimatum: if the SS Agents can't keep their mouths shut another Agency will be found to protect the Presidential Entourage. Just what we need, more SS Agents to harass innocent Sysop's and their Computing Users. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHO's THE WIERDOS IN SHADES?? It seems that some Secret Service Agents are complaining about service they recieved in a Rural Southern "Denny"s" Restaraunt. Particular the Black agents are claiming discrimination because the White agents recieved faster and more polite service. However, regular Black patrons of the Denny's in question say the have always been treated well and with very good service. Underground Rumor has it that a Computer Hacker was on the floor that day and recognized the Boy's in Shades for who they were and gave all the Agents very shitty service. Our hats off to the employee if its true and our hats off to Denny's to providing the Boy's in Shades with what they deserve. Remember Boy's, What goes around comes around. And What was that Green Shit in your eggs???? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Section [7]: The Rumor Mill (Unconfirmed Rumors From the Underground) Edited By: Mercenary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Message From The Phantom : The Following person has tried to use Mercenary/and the IIRG as a reference in attempts to logon to respected private systems, in this case I will describe the incident that happened on my system. A user going by the alias of "NEW MANNING" , claiming to be from a group called "MASSDES" told me that "Me" sent him to the bbs for access and wanted to know if I wished to be a MASSDES site. I nonchalantly asked him exactly what MASSDES was and he said it is a group of people that hack out warez from Company Unix/Vax systems and release them. Strangely I have never seen a release by them and since I have even seen 95% of the one time release groups, I know this guy was a lamer. I asked him what he could do about Strike Commander,(this was on April-2nd, and hence it was not released yet) and he said he has had it for a week and that it was already released by 'a noname group that did a home-cracking job'. I let well enough be alone and I asked him if he had anything interesting and he told me 'I am working on Dark Sun II'. This was quite amusing since Dark Sun I (from SSI of course) is being beta tested as we speak and plans for a sequel have not been implemented yet. After asking him who "Me" was, he responded Mercenary' of the IIRG. I asked him if Mercenary would vouch for him and he said sure. I asked Mercenary myself and his response was to delete this person since he has never heard of him. I asked the guy where he was from and he said 'I can not say since I am using a box', fine, but he said he was from area code (415) I believe near Springfield, MA . (415) 234-8899 was the supplied number he gave my PC Board so when I was bored I tried it for my interests and apparently a secretary answered and said 'Law Offices', I promptly went <CLICK>. This was probably just a bogus number, but just in case. Other aliases he says that he may be recognized as: KAOS I asked him what other (203) systems or anywhere in New England he called and he said he could not reveal bbs names even. How odd... This was a lamer report on NEW MANNING. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FREE BIRD CRASHES TO THE GROUND This is a very long and sad story . As Im writing this online .. Ill try to make it short .. although Free Bird the Sysop of the excellent TDT BBS... deserves much praise and more time. Some school kids, (maybe local College kids) were caught hacking into their school computer. To cop a plea they turned in the Lite House BBS. This is in FLorida, so the local pigs decided to make an example of Free Bird. They Busted down his door and ARRESTED his Hardware, and took Free Bird down to the Station, questionned and then released him. He says he is facing 120 years in Jail and many THOUSANDS of dollars in Fines. The Pigs have already TAKEN his about 4-5 node, 4 Gig BBS, + Gig BACKUP Tapes etc etc... and ALL info on his BBS is now in PIG Hands... at least the FBI has NOT been called , they think ,, so far.. ****IF YOU WERE A USER ON THAT BBS.. AND USE THE SAME HANDLES AND PASSWORDS ON OTHER BBS'S... ***CHANGE THEM IMMEDIATLY !!!!!****** Note this fact... in CLintonian AMerica in the Free 1990's.. THE HAVE FROZEN FREE BIRDS CHECKING ACCOUNT .... !!!! DO THEY DO THIS WITH **CONVICTED MURDERERSS??? I dont think so !!! HE HAS NOT been TRIED OR CONVICTED .. and ALREADY .. FREE BIRD has LOST his SYSTEM Sysops YOU Know how much a BBS like that costs??? What...$10,000 with all the computers, nodes, Cards, LAN, HW etc,etc,modems. AND WITH HIS BANK ACCOUNT FROZEN He's got some explaining to do to his WIFE and KIDS and PARENTS and FAMILY and maybe EMPLOYER !!! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Section [8]: Crystals,Crystals Everywhere By: Mercenary and Saint Anarchy Ok, enough with the E-mail messages already..... This is the Last and I repeat LAST time we will review where to obtain crystals for you Soldering Iron Rat Shack Junkies. Now Between myself and the Saint here, we've recieved upwards of 35 letters requesting this information, so lets review the crystal sources first. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Mouser Electronics Comments: Best service of all companies 1-800-346-6873 Order Line we've had dealings with. 1-800-992-9943 Order catalog 6.5536MHz Surface Mount 6.5536 HC49/U Crystal Pricing: 1 at $2.34 Pricing: 1 at $1.95 10 at $1.95 a piece 10 at $1.83 a piece 50 at $1.74 a piece 100 at $1.69 a piece Mouser Number: 332-SML0655 Mouser Number: 332-1066 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Digi-Key Corporation Comments: Service Fair, Shipment delays 1-800-344-4539 Service Rep was Snooty 6.5536MHz HC-18 Crystal 6.5 Crystal Also Available Pricing: 1 at $1.51 in smaller Package 10 at $12.60 ($1.26 a piece) 100 at $100.80 ($1.00 a Piece) Digi-Key Stock Number: X018 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Newark Electronics (Sales offices in 44 States,Puerto Rico,Canada and the UK) Check your local Business to Business Directory or call 312-784-5100 for Newark's Administrative office to find your closestbranch office. 6.5536MHz Crystal - Stock # 76F841 - $3.34 a Piece Comments: Overpriced and VERY,VERY,VERY SLOW Service ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Fox Electronics 1-813-693-0099 Fox will make you ANY Crystal you want, the price will be a little higher but you can get ANY VALUE in just About ANY Size. You hard Corps will catch my Drift, - EXACT VALUES!! Comments: GREAT SERVICE, a little Wait time.. Customer service is Excellent as well as quality. Millie's great in Customer Service!! Ask for her... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well that should cover you for a Crystal source, now some of you have been asking about hooking 2 Crystals at once...... Original Crystal | | | | | | o o (DPDT Switch) Pin 1 of-----------------o o----------------Pin 2 of Dialer Dialer o o | | | | | | 6.5536MHz Crystal This is a very simple and crude representation but you should be able to see the easy implementation of using both crystals. We suggest yo download Sanctuarys Red Box File to get the full idea of implementing these plans. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Section [9]: PHANTASY TIDBITS: News and Views of Interest ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALPHA AXP SYSTEMS AVAILABLE ON INTERNET On Thursday April 29, 1993 -- As a service to the Internet community, Digital Equipment Corporation has made two DEC 4000 AXP systems available for evaluating the Alpha AXP architecture and testing the functionality of the supporting operating systems, compilers, tools, and utilities. Application developers who have access to the Internet can use these two systems to test, qualify, or port their software for the Alpha AXP architecture. Other Internet users interested in Alpha AXP computing are invited to log on and evaluate these systems. In the first two days of availability, initial Internet response resulted in well over 1000 accounts from about 500 organizations being set up on these Alpha AXP systems. One DEC 4000 AXP system (Internet address: axposf.pa.dec.com) is running the DEC OSF/1 for AXP V1.2 UNIX operating system. The other AXP system (Internet address: axpvms.pa.dec.com) has the OpenVMS AXP V1.5 operating system installed. These systems can be reached either via telnet or rlogin. To register for an account, Internet users connect to the desired machine, log in as axpguest (no password), and answer the short qualifying questionnaire. Users are asked to read all information in the motd/login banner and comply with all rules for machine usage/restrictions. Customers with questions about their accounts should send mail to Internet address: axposf-root@dec.pa.com for the DEC OSF/1 for AXP system and to Internet address: axpvms-system@pa.dec.com for the OpenVMS AXP system. The Internet system -- linking more than 1.7 million host computers on 11,000 networks in 50 countries -- has more than 5 million users. The system is tied into most public and private electronic messaging services, expanding the user population able to exchange electronic mail to about 15 million people. The system is doubling annually in users, networks, hosts, and traffic. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAIWAN QUICK TO REACT The government of Taiwan (under pressure from the U.S.) passed the final two bills providing copyright protection for the United States. This was done to avoid possible trade sanctions under the special 301 Section of the Omnibus Trade Act. The U.S. had given Taiwan until April 30th to pass the bills, which have been a matter of friction between the U.S. and Taiwan. As of third week of April, the U.S. had not removed Taiwan from its list of countries that sanctions may be imposed against. If Taiwan is not taken off the "301 List", there will be a 100% tariff on all Taiwanese computer and peripheral equipment. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VLSI BEHIND CLIPPER CHIP VLSI Technology Inc has added a new manufacturing process and a library of electronic building blocks that will provide data-encryption capability. The new manufacturing process and design support has been developed by VLSI to build the "Clipper" chip for Mykotronx in Torrance California. The "Clipper" chip will be used by Mykotronx for secure communications equipment applications. Any data that is designed-in through VLSI's proprietary FSB library and tools will offer protection from visual and electrical probing techniques. V