Volconvo is a debate forum for the discussion of political, religious, and news-based topics.

eljaysun · Sep 7, 2003, 09:14 pm

I was watching my favorite show, The Screen Savers, yesterday. Some breaking news had just gotten to them as the show started. A guest they had on, Adrian Lamo, had a warrent from the FBI. Adrian Lamo was famous for hacking into the New York Times website and he found that he could get some big contributors social security numbers. Mind you that he didn't change anything or take the social security numbers. He just hacks into websites calls the owners and let's them know of the flaw. He is called a "grey hat" hacker.

Is he a hero or a criminal? Your thoughts...

RebelWithanAK · Sep 7, 2003, 11:11 pm

Sounds like an issue 2600 has done to death over and over and over...

It's alright, methinks, to reverse-engineer something so as better to understand it, but why is it that all these people are so darned interested in security measures? Aren't there better things to work on, like an AI with common sense?

Jim · Sep 8, 2003, 03:08 am

Here's a crazy idea: He could ask the company's permission first.

**Pooeypants** · Sep 8, 2003, 07:05 am

I think it's great sometimes when a lone hacker can show that even the biggest companies are not invincible. He'll probably get employed by another secret agency for his skills, I'm sure they'll come very useful in the espionage world of today.

casual · Sep 8, 2003, 12:45 pm

i dont mind things like this.. as long as the hacker doesnt alter ANYTHING at all, what harm is done?

Sure its breaking the law, in the matter of hacking is the same as burglary.. But in this specific case i, personally, would make an exception..

My thoughts.. Im new here, looking forward to some decent topics :)

eljaysun · Sep 8, 2003, 06:37 pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim@Sep 8 2003, 03:08 AM
Here's a crazy idea: He could ask the company's permission first.

sometimes "hacker" is a dirty word. that isn't a bad idea. infact lots of hackers get paid big $$$ by websites like Yahoo and Amazon to hack the websites then help them fix any security problems.

there are hackers and then there are crackers. the difference between them is like the difference between seeing through a window and breaking through it. get what i'm saying?

at any rate, i don't think he should be called guilty.

As'rek · Sep 21, 2003, 05:49 am

Reminds me of that movie, "Catch me if you can."

Anyway, I think it is allright if he doesn't take/damage anything and he probably does it/knows alot of the stuff most hackers do, so he has first hand experience on how to counter hackers.

xm.bundun · Sep 22, 2003, 02:46 am

were he to be found not guilty it would just create another slippery slope in our society. if he is hacking into websites and viewing sensitive information that is breaking the law, and he should be prosecuted accordingly.

Section 8 · Sep 24, 2003, 12:29 am

Great his getting in trouble with the law because he was trying to help people. I'm glad this is how we're using law enforcement resources.

Have Fun
Shalom

xm.bretton · Sep 24, 2003, 01:15 am

he could have tried getting consent first. and a big fat pay check.

corporations do pay for people like him to do that, but with permission.

Section 8 · Sep 24, 2003, 01:20 am

True, but still he shouldn't be arrested or prosecuted.

Have Fun
Shalom

Sep 7, 2003, 11:11 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
RebelWithanAK Igneous Magma Location: New York City Posts: 739	Sounds like an issue 2600 has done to death over and over and over... It's alright, methinks, to reverse-engineer something so as better to understand it, but why is it that all these people are so darned interested in security measures? Aren't there better things to work on, like an AI with common sense? . . . whenever any government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundations on such principles and organizing its powers in such forms as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

Sep 8, 2003, 07:05 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
Pooeypants Neo Moderator Location: England Posts: 5,467	I think it's great sometimes when a lone hacker can show that even the biggest companies are not invincible. He'll probably get employed by another secret agency for his skills, I'm sure they'll come very useful in the espionage world of today. War is Peace Freedom is Slavery Ignorance is strength Harness the power of Ingsoc, then you can capture someone killed the year before

Sep 22, 2003, 02:46 am	#8 (permalink) (top)
xm.bundun Sedimentary Rock Location: behind you...RUN! Posts: 14	were he to be found not guilty it would just create another slippery slope in our society. if he is hacking into websites and viewing sensitive information that is breaking the law, and he should be prosecuted accordingly. kthxbai -bundun

Sep 24, 2003, 01:15 am	#10 (permalink) (top)
xm.bretton Molten Ash Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 89	he could have tried getting consent first. and a big fat pay check. corporations do pay for people like him to do that, but with permission. xm.bretton xhalation.com

Sep 7, 2003, 09:14 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
eljaysun Sedimentary Rock Location: Kansas City Posts: 7	I was watching my favorite show, The Screen Savers, yesterday. Some breaking news had just gotten to them as the show started. A guest they had on, Adrian Lamo, had a warrent from the FBI. Adrian Lamo was famous for hacking into the New York Times website and he found that he could get some big contributors social security numbers. Mind you that he didn't change anything or take the social security numbers. He just hacks into websites calls the owners and let's them know of the flaw. He is called a "grey hat" hacker. Is he a hero or a criminal? Your thoughts...

Sep 8, 2003, 03:08 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
Jim Sedimentary Rock Posts: 24	Here's a crazy idea: He could ask the company's permission first.

Sep 8, 2003, 12:45 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
casual Sedimentary Rock Location: Denmark Posts: 5	i dont mind things like this.. as long as the hacker doesnt alter ANYTHING at all, what harm is done? Sure its breaking the law, in the matter of hacking is the same as burglary.. But in this specific case i, personally, would make an exception.. My thoughts.. Im new here, looking forward to some decent topics :)

Sep 21, 2003, 05:49 am	#7 (permalink) (top)
As'rek Sedimentary Rock Posts: 7	Reminds me of that movie, "Catch me if you can." Anyway, I think it is allright if he doesn't take/damage anything and he probably does it/knows alot of the stuff most hackers do, so he has first hand experience on how to counter hackers.

Sep 24, 2003, 12:29 am	#9 (permalink) (top)
Section 8 Hot Lava Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 782	Great his getting in trouble with the law because he was trying to help people. I'm glad this is how we're using law enforcement resources. Have Fun Shalom

Sep 24, 2003, 01:20 am	#11 (permalink) (top)
Section 8 Hot Lava Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 782	True, but still he shouldn't be arrested or prosecuted. Have Fun Shalom