Is Distributed Computing A Crime?

Is Distributed Computing A Crime?
Ann Harrison, SecurityFocus 2001-12-20

A computer network administrator faces multiple felony charges and years in a Georgia prison for allegedly installing Distributed.net clients without permission. Prosecutors say its justice, others aren't so sure

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous

Well, well. Once again we have another instance of the general establishment not understanding the slightest thing above computing, software, etc. and making up there own rules to do what they want.

Let's look at the points of the case :

1. He downloaded a distributed software package.

Oka...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? [a rather misleading title] 2001-12-20
SCZ (1 replies)

root != carte blanche. The school's resources were not McOwen's to commit; the fact that they were idle much of the time is irrelevant. His actions do not appear to warrant a stint in jail, but a fine to cover reparation costs (if proven) seems to be in order if he is convicted....

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? [a rather misleading title] 2001-12-20
Anonymous

You are right that the fact that they were idle much of the time is irrelevant. The relevant factor would be what he signed in regards to any 'acceptable use' policies. If he did, I am completely in agreement that he should cover any reparation costs, namely what the institution had to pay above a...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous78

This is an interesting article. This reminds me of when I was a technician at a college and the whole SETI craze was out there. Personally, I never installed it on any machines, but I know some other techs that did. Installing one of these types of programs should not be a felony. If his boss asked ...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous

I suppose Mr. McOwen is lucky his actions were not deemed to be terroristic by the computer police. Rather than jail time and a huge fine, he could be looking at LIFE in jail with no hope for parole. One day, he is a Network Administrator - next day he is bed partner to some hairy guy named Bruno....

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous (1 replies)

This is completely Lame of this college, they should realize they are actually contibuting to better US encryption standards, and take the credit for it or something.

my duece cents ~!...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous

Agreed, all the university had to do was spin it the other direction to get positive PR for their computer science department and computing labs.

"Proactive Network Administrator makes University #2 contributor to MD5 project" but instead they're going to get flamed for this lame prosecution an...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous (1 replies)

We're in big trouble. All of us. This madness must stop. We're teetering on the brink of an abyss....

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous

1. Ask for full access to the college's computers, audit trails for all software on every machine and copies of each

written authorisation for every piece of software installed

and every upgrade.

2. I'd be tempted to ask the prosecutor's office for the same.

If it's THAT important to the...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous

I think what seems obvious is that some yahoo DA decided his career needed a jolt of attention. Perhaps he wants to run for County Dog Catcher next year. ...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous

This case shows once again how ridiculous the laws can be and how little it takes for computer professional in U.S. to become the target of crime investigation. ...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
David

I can't image an educational institution (higher learning here people) being this damn dumb and spending money on an 18 month investigation for this. This poor dude is a pawn in someone else's much larger game.

...

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Only in America 2001-12-20
Anonymous

I love all of these computer related laws/rules that are mostly written by people that lack the knowledge to turn one on....

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous-Please

If you installed a video-camera in people's houses while repairing their furnace - that would be considered illegal.

How is this any different? This guy installed software he was not supposed to install. It doesn't matter if it was for the betterment of humankind. You don't just install software ...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous

Yet another dangerously stupid precedent to set, if he gets convicted.

Where does that leave the idiots that keep spreading Internet viruses and trojans? They knowingly downloaded their e-mail, they knowingly executed the attachment. Do they get 15 years in jail? What about the 300 machines th...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous

It reminds me of the IBM commercial when the two dectectives look at each other and ask the question "Whats a server?". The State Attorneys General around the country have been completely flustered because the keep getting complaints of "hacker" activity, but they can't catch or prosecute them. Eith...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-20
Anonymous (1 replies)

How people like that come to power within an educational institution is beyond me. McOwen acted just as any other college student, or employee at a company that has access to the web. Most all companies have such policies, but they're usually disregarded unless someone does something malicious or da...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-21
Anonymous

All us "geeks" out to take a few weeks away from work, let the world see how long they last when the only thing they've got going for them is uninformed policies and rapidly-becoming-insane legal chains for the technologically capable.

At absolute worse the guy was being harmless without pe...

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Is Distributed Computing A Crime? 2001-12-21
euler

"McOwen placed a program on computers, that in his estimation would benefit him personally, including computers that has sensitive student financial and identity information without authorization," says Willard. "There is concern about the program itself compromising or providing the basis to compro...

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