International Network of Crackers

Infobox computer underground
group_name = International Network of Crackers
caption = A DOS BBStro for INC created by RaD Man and Grimm of Aces of ANSI Art.
Source: INCBBS2.COM.
origin =
country = United States
status = inactive
years_active = late 1980s – early 1990s
category = warez / cracking
founders = Line Noise
products =
affiliates = Pirates With Attitude
website =

International Network of Crackers (INC) was one of the premier cracking/releasing warez groups for the IBM PC during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The formation of INC was the result of the merger of several cracking groups, including "Union", based out of Texas, and the "Miami Cracking Machine" ("MCM"), based out of Florida. [http://www.defacto2.net/groups.cfm?mode=detail&org=inc Defacto2 - International Network of Crackers (INC) Group Page ] ] The founder of MCM, who went under the pseudonym Line Noise, continued to manage INC until 1992. Following his departure from the group, Cool Hand and The Cracksmith took over. [http://www.defacto2.net/web-magazines/scenelink/features/issue/5/ch.html cool hand interview ] ] There were a few years in which the group seemed dominant over the "warez" scene. It was not until internal conflicts and lack of interest by upper management entered the picture that things began to decline. When Cool Hand and The Cracksmith disappeared, the remaining members were unable to hold things together.

The real identities of the key members have never been fully uncovered, but it has been reported that the founding members, Line Noise (Neil), The Cracksmith (Drew), and Cool Hand (Joe) have left the scene. Releases from INC aggressively declined and people within the scene generally had felt that INC lost its edge. During a one year period, they went from being the top gaming software release group to barely memorable. Some of the best games of the 80s and 90s were released by INC during a period of stiff competition with groups like FLT, THG, and Razor 1911. By early 1994, INC had completely disappeared from the warez scene.

Among their biggest rivals and competitors during the group's existence were The Humble Guys. During a period in which most groups were using any and all means possible (including credit card fraud, lies and anything else) to beat them, INC always maintained its moral high ground. Although one could question how moral a pirate could be. The worst INC ever did was to "leak" a new game to The Humble Guys so they could steal the credit. While unknown to THG - the game was infected with a trojan that searched for a modem then dialed 9-1-1. Several of The Humble Guys members were visited by the police before they discovered they had been fooled.

External links

* [http://www.textfiles.com/piracy/INC/ Collection of textfiles from INC] archived at textfiles.com.
* [http://www.defacto2.net/text.files/PC%20Classic/Interviews/COOL.TXT Interview with Cool Hand, vice-president of INC.] — Originally published in APT magazine (Advanced Pirate Technology).
* [http://www.defacto2.net/text.files/PC%20Classic/Interviews/BAR.TXT Interview with Bar Manager, INC Member/Packager.] — Originally published in APT.
* [http://www.defacto2.net/text.files/PC%20Classic/Interviews/LESTAT.TXT Interview with Lestat, INC Member.] — Originally published in APT.
* [http://www.defacto2.net/text.files/PC%20Classic/Insider%20Information/INC/SITES.TXT List of INC BBS Sites circa 1991.]
* [http://www.defacto2.net/text.files/PC%20Classic/Insider%20Information/INC/INCMEMB.TXT INC Member list including real names and phone numbers circa 1990.]
* [http://www.defacto2.net/text.files/PC%20Classic/Insider%20Information/INC/COURIERS.LST.txt INC Courier list including real names and phone numbers circa 1990.]
* [http://www.textfiles.com/piracy/INC/courier.txt INC courier manifesto] written by Phantom, the INC "courier coordinator".
* [http://www.defacto2.net/groups.cfm?mode=detail&org=inc International Network of Crackers file and information repository on Defacto2]

References