On Thu, 26 Jul 2001, Clint Wolff (VAX collector) wrote:
> > If their intent is criminal then yes, they are criminals.
>
> If their actions are criminal, they are criminals. It may be a lesser
> crime to merely violate someones privacy, but it is still a crime. No
> less than someone walking into your house and browsing through your
> closets.
Perverts aside, have you ever known anyone to break into other peoples'
houses so they can learn something about their closets?
Many people used to break into computers to learn about the system, but
abided by a principle that nothing should ever be intentionally damaged.
I used to be one of those people (in my younger days). I'm not trying to
justify it. Sure I may have been breaking some laws. But I didn't try to
"steal" data or snoop around in anyone's private life (unless I
accidentally stumbled across it). I was just interested in exploring and
learning.
Your closet analogy does not hold up. People have used this argument
before. It didn't make sense then, it doesn't now.
But all that aside, see my previous message: security, physical or
virtual, is YOUR responsiblity. If you don't want anyone coming into your
house or your server, LOCK THEM UP! Did they still get in? You didn't
use good enough locks. Try again.
> > Me either. But then you forget just how badly the US Gubment violated his
> > civil rights. I don't know who's the bigger criminal in this case:
> > Mitnick or the Government. And believe me, I fear the Government WAY
> > more than I fear Mitnick. The Government is everywhere, and much more
> > powerful.
>
> What civil rights were violated? Mitnick violated the terms of his
> supervised release, fled to Denver when he realised they were coming
> for him (from his illegal monitoring of voice mails and hacking into
> FBI computers). If a drug dealer did the same, I would hope they
> would lock her up too.
Do the research. Read the stories. Come to your own conclusion.
http://www.2600.com
Their information will obviously be biased, but you can read John
Markoff's accounts to balance it all out. Somewhere between 2600 and
Markoff is the truth. The fact is, the US Government often violates the
very laws it is charged to uphold, and has no remorse over it.
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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International Man of Intrigue and Danger
http://www.vintage.org
Received on Fri Jul 27 2001 - 01:20:38 BST