From: newsbytes@clarinet.com (NB-MSP)
Newsgroups: clari.nb.online,clari.nb.top
Subject:  ****Hackers Break Into America Online 09/11/95
Keywords: Bureau-MSP, NEWS
Date: 11 Sep 95 20:25:22 GMT

VIENNA, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1995 SEP 11 (NB) -- America Online Inc.
(NASDAQ:AMER) has informed its members that it is fighting hackers who
are causing problems on the largest consumer online service. Also, a
San Francisco Chronicle article claims rogue "computer experts" have
already tampered with business and customer information files,
creating a security breech.

The Chronicle article quoted sources associated with the company as
saying the hackers appeared to have accessed a wide variety of files,
including the personal files of AOL president and chief executive
officer, Steve Case. The paper also said other recent attacks have
centered around a hacker program called "AOHell."

Pam Case, AOL spokesperson, confirmed to Reuters the service has been
having problems with hackers using AOHell, but she didn't provide
any further details. When Reuters specifically asked whether hackers
had breached AOL, McGraw repeated the earlier statement regarding
AOHell.

In his monthly "Letter from Steve Case," the AOL executive acknowledged
the service has experienced problems with hackers. He wrote that a
recently-installed software system is designed to fix some recent
"problems" that have been discovered. He also reminded users to change
their passwords. A new program has also started to remind AOL members
to change passwords.

Case also cautioned members not to give out passwords online. He said
cases have been reported in which certain individuals are passing
themselves off as representatives of AOL, and asking members for their
passwords. No-one from AOL would ever ask a member for their password,
Case said.

AOL officials did not return phone calls by Newsbytes' deadline.
However, both the Chronicle and Reuters reported that AOL was not very
forthcoming about discussing additional information regarding the
break-ins and other hacker troubles.

The Chronicle report appeared the same day that AOL announced that it
now has more than 3.5 million members, and is the largest online
service in the world.

(Bob Woods/19950911/Press Contact: Pam McGraw, America
Online, 703-556-3746)