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HACKERS SUSPECTED IN ONLINE VANDALISM By Ken Alltucker

      Two local Internet providers have been vandalized recently and they

suspect it might be the work of computer hackers.

      Linknet, the online service provided by Kitsap Regional Library,

has been shut down twice this week because of an online vandal.

      "We have been down two nights because of problems," said Michael

Schuyler, director of Linknet. "We think we have it squared away at this point."

      Another Internet provider, Telebyte Northwest, was targeted by a

vandal. It had soda sprayed across the windows in its office in Silverdale, said employee Al Wallace.

      A few months back, Telebyte's phone lines were severed, shutting

down the system its operation for one day.

      Many area businesses depend on Telebyte for online communication,

Wallace said.

      Linknet service stopped after someone sent a program that ate away

the computer's memory.

      Schuyler said he has made changes in the system and doesn't expect

problems to continue.

      The two linknet attacks halted the system for 12 hours Monday and

Tuesday night.

      Telebyte has also had some online troubles, Wallace said. A "modem

bomb" was recently sent to computer users, causeing several computers to freeze.

      Wallace said it only affected computer users who were online when it

was sent. The bomb causes no permanent damage to computer; rather, users just have to restart the computers, Wallace said.

      Telebyte was the first Kitsap County commercial Internet provider

when it started last October.

      Linknet is a service provided at no charge through Kitsap Regional

Library. It allows users to send and receive electronic mail and access parts of the Internet.

      The demand for Linknet accounts has mushroomed since in(it) started

last January, Schuyley said.

      It received a Library Services and Construction Grant two months ago

allowing it to double its call-in lines.

      Schuyler said the new lines should be available this summer.