Hilton Hack Helps T-Mobile Sell Sidekicks!

[Jon Westfall]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/danger/hilton-hack-boosts-tmo-sales-034459.php' target='_blank'>http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/cell...ales-034459.php</a><br /><br /></div><i>"TechNewsWorld reports that New York T-Mobile stores are selling out of Sidekick IIs, sales fueled by Paris Hilton’s brush with hackery last week. Ignoring the fact that all of Paris’ emails, photos and memos were unwillingly brought to the eyes of the public, scores of people have swept up the devices..."</i><br /><br />Seems that the general public is now starting to know about the Sidekick II because of all this, and its not a bad thing for T-Mobile after all (Which probably explains why they have kept a fairly low profile on it all, releasing a fairly <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=50961"> low-key statement </a> which cites the hacking as a "growing phenomenon"). People are now finding out about the many features and uses for a Sidekick, and seem pretty undaunted by the possible security risk. I don't know about you, but if I was shopping for a car, the fact that the same model had recently been broken into and a lot of confidential information stolen might be a turn-off for me... :?

[xoiph]

I don't know about you, but if I was shopping for a car, the fact that the same model had recently been broken into and a lot of confidential information stolen might be a turn-off for me... :?

Well, you're overlooking the fact that Miss Hilton's Sidekick wasn't really hacked into, someone just knew the answer to the security question on her account, "What is your favorite pet's name?"

It's more like someone breaking into an open convertible with the keys left in the ignition.

[mcsouth]

Could this have been.... 8O .....all a hoax? Maybe this is some fiendishly concocted plan by some advertising masterminds at T-Mobile, and Paris and her pals are in on the deal!

Nahhhh......just pure, dumb luck, I suspect!

[Anjuan Simmons]

Could this have been.... 8O .....all a hoax? Maybe this is some fiendishly concocted plan by some advertising masterminds at T-Mobile, and Paris and her pals are in on the deal!

I think that the hoax or "marketing ploy" theory gives too much credit to Miss Hilton and T-Mobile. Similar to her "video productions" I think it's an embarrassing situation that fortunately resulted in product exposure and increased sales (of Sidekicks and time with Paris Hilton I'm sure . . .).

If life gives you lemons (or a billionaire fortune) make lemonade (or a virtual celebrity life).

[Sven Johannsen]

Take a read through http://www.computerworld.com/developmenttopics/websitemgmt/story/0,10801,100104,00.html
It would seem that T-Mobile does, and has had, some significant issues with security. Miss Hilton is just a particularly visible target. She did nothing wrong it appears, it is just embarrasingly easy to get to info on T-mobiles Sidekick servers. If I had a Sidekick I would not be particularly concerned as no-one would give a rats about the phone numbers and e-mails I had on it. If it was a corporate device and I was a CEO I would be very concerned.

[rocky_raher]

I thik this is just another example of the maxim, "There's no such thing as BAD publicity."

[PDANEWBIE]

Also if it was a hoax then I think a few of the pictures that wre released wouln't have been AND some of the celbrities that have done interviews would not have allowed her to use their numbers to perpetuate this.

In all I wish it was a hox because if its not it just shows me once again how dumb she really is.

[Jacob]

Well, you're overlooking the fact that Miss Hilton's Sidekick wasn't really hacked into, someone just knew the answer to the security question on her account, "What is your favorite pet's name?"


The same system is used for a number of sites. Hotmail uses a similar kind of method, or at least did. At a point if someone knew a couple of pieces of information they could have changed my password.

The problem is that Paris Hilton is such a moron that she chose a question that everyone knew the answer to.

[Sven Johannsen]

Could someone point out the definitive information that somebody 'guessed' her password, as opposed to someone exploiting T-Mobile's much publicised web vulnerabilities. Everything I've read has been speculation. Understandably, neither the hacker, nor T-Mobile has come forward, detailing the method used to get the information.

[xoiph]

Could someone point out the definitive information that somebody 'guessed' her password, as opposed to someone exploiting T-Mobile's much publicised web vulnerabilities. Everything I've read has been speculation. Understandably, neither the hacker, nor T-Mobile has come forward, detailing the method used to get the information.

Some articles on this here (http://www.mobiledia.com/news/26342.html) and here. (http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,66681,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_4)

And T-Mobile's Statement (http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/danger/paris-hilton-hacked-tmobile-responds-033750.php), via Gizmodo again.

But you're right, it's all speculation. As an owner of a Hiptop (before they were trendy :way to go:) , I guess I'd rather believe it was a silly user mistake than security holes in Danger's servers.