LulzSec claims CIA scalp in hacking campaign after hotline launch

Group adds call centre to let public pick hacking targets

Hacking group LulzSec has expanded its efforts with the launch of a phone line where members of the public can nominate targets for future attacks.

LulzSec said that it is also able to reroute the calls, which it claims are reaching 20 per second, to flood outside phone lines such as those of security firm HBGary, which was involved in a plan to attack WikiLeaks.

The launch of the phone operation comes as LulzSec continues to attack various business and government sites. Recent targets include the CIA, the US Senate, software developer Bethesda Softworks and Eve Online.

The attacks come on the heels of earlier breaches of Sony Pictures, Nintendo, PBS and the NHS.

The attacks have brought the group global attention and scores of headlines, but have drawn criticism from many in the security world.

"It may be true that some companies have not defended their web servers properly, and are careless with their customers' data," wrote Sophos senior technology consultant Graham Cluley in a blog post.

"But that doesn't make it right to act irresponsibly or break the law. There are better ways of getting issues like that resolved."

David Perry, global director of education at Trend Micro, told V3.co.uk that the attacks are also likely to draw unwanted attention from law enforcement groups.

"This is not like what Kevin Mitnick went to prison for, this is something significant," he said. "I would assume that some resources are going to be spent to take these guys down."