At any rate, we still seem to be here, but the website for the Compact Muon Solenoid Experiment team isn't. Or at least it isn't reachable, as a result of an attack on the project that apparently reached "one step away" from the computer control system.

The Greek group of hackers left behind the above message (click to enlarge) which had the headline "GST: Greek Security Team" and ended with the message: "We are 2600 - don't mess with us."

Some of the concerns about the LHC center around the possibility it may create microscopic black holes, as well as strangelets. Most feel these are unfounded fears.

Of course, it doesn't lend me a great deal of confidence when one of the LHC personnel says (about the hacking):

"It is hard enough to make these things work if no one is messing with it."