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Blaming the Good Samaritan
Houston Carr, 2008-09-26

In the early 90's, I attended an academic conference in Hawaii. At one presentation, a colleague from the University of California at Berkeley whom I'll refer to as "the supervisor," told a story of young hackers, who he referred to as the Urchins.

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Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-09-26
Anonymous (1 replies)
Re: Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-10-01
Anonymous (3 replies)
Re: Re: Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-10-14
The Better Samaritan
disagree with premise 2008-09-27
Anonymous (3 replies)
Re: disagree with premise 2008-10-01
Anonymous
Re: disagree with premise 2008-10-04
Anonymous
Re: disagree with premise 2008-10-10
Anonymous
Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-09-27
Anonymous
Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-09-28
RU_Trustified
Where to draw the line 2008-09-29
Daniel Thomas (1 replies)
Re: Where to draw the line 2008-10-01
Anonymous
Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-09-29
Anonymous (2 replies)
I completely agree with the law's stance on these illegal break ins, even with good intentions. Would we even be talking about this if someone tried to break into someone's house just to test their locks? Always ask first. It just makes sense. If you hack into a system, find a hole, and report it then the people who receive the report will either A) thank you and fix the problem or B) report you to the authorities. It seems that if the person is type A then they would not turn you away if you asked for permission first.

So while I can see the value in these "Good Samaritans", I wouldn't call them that unless they asked for permission first. Yes, companies (not the law) needs to wake up and welcome the free help, but unless you get written permission, you are a criminal.

If you disagree, send me your address and I'll be happy to test the security of your house. :)

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Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/columns/481/35167#35167
Re: Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-10-01
Anonymous (2 replies)
Re: Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-10-01
Anonymous
Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-09-30
Darin (4 replies)
Re: Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-09-30
Anonymous
Re: Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-09-30
RU_Trustified (2 replies)
Re: Re: Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-10-01
Anonymous (1 replies)
Re: Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-10-01
Anonymous
Re: Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-10-03
Anonymous
Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-09-30
Anonymous
Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-09-30
Brandon (1 replies)
Re: Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-10-01
Teknohazard
Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-09-30
Mr. Mike (1 replies)
Re: Blaming the Good Samaritan 2008-10-01
R... (1 replies)
Thin Skull Rule 2008-10-17
Anonymous
Blaming the "Cracker" 2008-10-11
Anonymous
Time to grow up 2008-10-11
Anonymous
Tresspassing 2008-10-28
Jake Brodsky







 

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