CULT OF THE DEAD COW

CULT OF THE DEAD COW (cDc) is a high-profile computer hacker organization founded in 1984 in Lubbock, Texas. CULT OF THE DEAD COW is most famous for its release of Back Orifice in 1998, Back Orifice 2000 in 1999, and being named "Sassiest Underground Computer Group" by Sassy Magazine.

Supposedly, the group was formed in a slaughterhouse by Grandmaster Ratte' (aka Swamp Ratte'), Franken Gibe, and Sid Vicious, three BBS sysops.

Timeline

During the 1980s, the cDc was well known throughout the BBS scene for their underground ezine, which they continue to produce to this day. Their motivation for it all: "We're into t-files for the groupies and money." They claim to have invented the ezine, but this claim is difficult to prove or disprove.

In December 1990, cDc member Drunkfux gave birth to the modern hacker con. HoHoCon, usually held in Houston, Texas, was the first hacker conference which invited the participation of both journalists and law enforcement. In all, dFx hosted five annual HoHoCons.

In 1996, the cDc announced the birth of its Ninja Strike Force, a group of "ninjas" dedicated to achieving the goals of the cDc, both online and offline. Also in 1996, cDc member Omega coined the term "hacktivism."

On January 7, 1999, the cDc joined with an international coalition of hackers to denounce a call to cyberwar against the governments of China and Iraq. Later that year the cDc created Hacktivismo, an independent group dedicated to the creation of anti-censorship technology in furtherance of human rights on the Internet.

To further the cult's stated goal of "Global Domination Through Media Saturation," over the years cDc members have granted interviews to major newspapers, print magazines, online news sites, and international television news programs. In February 2000, the cDc was the subject of an 11-minute documentary short entitled "Disinformation."

The cDc had ties to the LØpht by way of common membership.

High-Profile Members

• Grandmaster Ratte'
• Oxblood Ruffin
• Mudge
• Dildog
• Sir Dystic
• Deth Vegetable
• Drunkfux

Ninja Strike Force

Ninja Strike Force (NSF) is the name of the "community outreach" arm of CULT OF THE DEAD COW. It was established 1996.

Membership in the NSF is granted by the cDc to those individuals who stand out in their support of the cDc and its ideals.

There is a public dojo (online community) for the NSF. The NSF also runs a streaming radio station, NSF Radio.

See also

• Hacktivismo
• 2600
• Phrack
• Legion of Doom
• Chaos Computer Club
• H.O.P.E.

External links

• CULT OF THE DEAD COW homepage
• Rotten.com cDc Page
• Hacktivismo homepage
• Back Orifice 2000 homepage
• cDc's Ninja Strike Force Forums