Shelley's Off Her Rocker
Aurain
I read most of the articles available..but after the hacker article, I
marked it for rereading. Alright...this is, well, special. I agreed
with you before on such things as flag burning, but now...I doubt your
motivations. You're starting to sound like a fear-mongering liberal
now.
I'm going to agree with the first few paragraphs...as for all the
claims that hackers are just folks who work for companies like Norton,
helping people out...those are computer engineers, not hackers. It's a
legitimate job, not some internet slang for a hoodlum with a keyboard.
After that, though, I laugh at you.
"In order to be invited into one of the hacker fraternities initiates
are required to perform smaller acts of sabbotage such as defacing a
national web-site or breaking into military computers. Launching a
nuclear missile, crashing an aircraft or causing a Chernobyl style
meltdown are common hacker fantasies; to cause such massive destruction
is the holy-grail of hackerdom. Hacker groups exist to cause
mass-destruction, and therefore hacker knowledge should be considered a
WMD and be controlled accordingly."
This is so loaded with impossibilities that I must laugh. Yes, they
deface web sites and, occasionally, if they're some of the best on the
planet, break into military computers...but things like launching an
ICBM, crashing an aircraft, or causing a nuclear meltdown are flat-out
impossible. Want to know why? ICBM control systems ARE NOT LINKED
INTO THE INTERNET. There is no physical connection to allow a hacker
to break in. They can breach electronic barriers, certainly, but first
they have to break into a US military base, slip into a control center,
murder at least three trained and armed military personel, hack that
center, then do a repeat performance at another center in the same
launch group, all without being caught by security forces! Trust me,
I've been there, I've seen the systems. Nothing less would work. As
for crashing an aircraft, I suppose if they're phenomenally good, they
could hijack some GPS satellite, use a carrier wave to break into the
nav system, and maybe take over the autopilot...but considering modern
systems, the pilot automatically overrides, and even if the hacker
defeated the safeties, all the pilot has to do to defeat the hacker is
pull a single, easy-to-access, clearly labeled fuse, and all the
autopilot's power is gone. And considering the requirements to even
become a pilot (Reference FAR/AIM), every single pilot in every single
plane can competently land their aircraft. If they managed to hack the
ATC computers, which I am unsure whether that is possible, yes, they'd
cause no end of problems, but a Condition Zero would be called over the
radios, and between the pilots and the ATC's, everyone would get down
safely. No hacker can take down every single radio in an area, they're
just not connected. As for a nuclear meltdown, once again, those
computers are completely independant of any external method a hacker
could use to infiltrate them. Which is where you run into the same
problem of basically forming a military assault on a nuclear power
plant, because even if they did somehow manage to get inside and hack
the computers without getter caught, there are so many manual overrides
and independant emergency safety systems that the reactor would simply
shut down. Chernobyl was a unique incident caused by shitty Russian
Cold War engineering and idiotic, half-trained controllers. The
various weaknesses required for such an incident simply don't exist in
American reactors. It would be far easier (and this is entirely
relative, given) for a bunch of hackers to learn how to use guns, steal
hundreds of pounds of dynamite, assault a nuclear facility, and attempt
to manually blow the reactor with explosives. Though even that is
quite preposterous, they'd be better off going for the nuclear waste.
In any case, we're talking about a bunch of arrogant weaklings learning
how to shoot a gun reasonable straight, then engaging a trained and
armed security force of at least 50 individuals, and this doesn't take
into account the various other protections they'd have to bypass, such
as the blast doors (8 tons of concrete on a hinge, anyone?).
I hate to point this out about that first image, but...I never imagined
you could hack a computer with a flyswatter and a spray bottle. Looks
more like someone's trying to kill an annoying bug to me...and I hate
to say this, but even I know that a "script kiddy" is an amateur (good
ol' days of Evercrack and macro'ers, same term was used).
The whole thing about the million clicks just doesn't make sense to me,
but then again, I don't know the whole story...but that second image
made me wish for a barf bag. I will agree with the caption, even if
I don't have any clue about the relevance of the picture. I'm also
pretty sure that any competent hacker can bust Windows and Norton wide
open...I mean, look at the various viruses and trojans that are being
discovered. Daily. Each of those is a new weakness that has to be
covered. If you're hooked into the internet, you are guaranteed to be
vulnerable to some hacker. They're smart, they're adapting
proactively...something that defensive products, like Norton, can't do.
They can only adapt reactively. Note the difference.
Some of the things you suggested were good...many were preposterous,
and some would be criminal to enact.
" * Possessing hacking tools should be a criminal offense: This
should include any software designed to circumvent other computer's
security, plus products with known relations to hacking tools. For
example the Linux operating system includes DVDRIP (for pirating DVDs),
SSH (for breaking into remote computers), and Telnet (an older remote
hacking tool). All of these evil programs should be outlawed."
I don't know shit about Linux...so I can't say anything about that.
Same for SSH. I do know, though, that Telnet is built into every
Windows OS...I use it as a chat program for several MU*'s (think
text-only MMO's). Don't believe me? Start->Run, type telnet, hit
enter. Or, if you want to be really lazy, Start->All
Programs->Accessories->Communications. It'll either be called Telnet
or Hyper Terminal. If you just let the mouse sit over Hyper Terminal,
a little tooltip will pop up telling you the program is used for
connecting to, among other things, "Internet telnet sites". This
really does make you look like a fear-mongering liberal.
" * Hackers who posess potentially dangerous knowledge should be
detained unless they are willing to use those skills in the service of
the government. These dangerous people should be regarded as human
WMDs."
Um...this is preposterous. To give you an example, I know how to make
gunpowder (sulfer, saltpeter, and charcoal for a really basic kind). I
could use this knowlege to make a bomb. Or I could even go to a gun
shop and buy a container of gunpowder. Does this mean I should be
detained unless I'm willing to make bombs for the government? If you
think yes, please realize that this means anyone who reloads their own
bullets, uses black powder rifles, etc., should be detained. We're
talking at least 20% of the US population here! Knowlege is not a
crime, how it is used, though, can be. You can't punish someone before
they commit a crime...that's a liberal idea. As a reverse way of
demonstrating how preposterous an idea this is, say you were a
manufacturer of Freon (old coolant chemical, now illegal to
manufacture, does some really nasty stuff). You obeyed the law, and
stopped manufacturing it when the law said you had to stop. Now, the
next day, the cops show up and arrest you for making Freon, even though
you only did it while it was legal. Now, the reason this can't
actually happen is that it's expressly forbidden in the Constitution.
You cannot be arrested and convicted if you did not commit a crime.
Simple as that.
" * Hacking offenses should be punished by a minimum five year
prison sentence. We would allow a brief amnesty for deluded,
self-confessed hackers like ESR to come forwards, however once the new
law is in place we demand that it be implemented strictly. Only a tough
penalty can tame hacker curiosity."
Agreed.
" * Hackers who attack government systems or computers belonging to
private companies that provide essential government infrastructure
should be given especially harsh sentences. We should make an example
of these evil people - Americans demand life imprisonment or possibly a
death penalty."
Unless they manage to directly cause the death of someone else through
their actions, they cannot be charged with a first degree murder.
Familiarize yourself with the law. Unless they hijack some
computer-controlled weaponry and kill people with it, or do something
very similar, they can't even get a life sentence. That would be
excessive punishment, far beyond the scope of the offense. I'm not
saying they should get off easy, especially if they caused a lot of
monetary damage, but unless they can be specifically held accountable
for lost American lives, the Constitution protects their lives.
" * There should be an "Internet drivers license". Anybody
wishing to use the Internet should be examined on their knowledge of
the Windows operating system, plus have a basic standard of morality.
References from a church or local republican party officer may be
required to get the license. Ex-convicts and people with lax morals
should be kept from the Internet for their own good!"
Windows isn't the only operating system out there that's legal (Mac's
OS X and such). Not only would such a law create a monopoly, and thus
create a bit of computer communism, the idea of having a "morality"
requirement reduces it to a purely subjective law that can't really
reinforce itself. Also, requiring a reference from a church or
specific political party establishes both an official religion
(violation of the First Amendment), and an official political party
(Communism, anyone?). Also, the idea of an ex-con being automatically
disallowed is absurd. An ex-con hacker, certainly, but a theif?
Doesn't match the crime at all. And as for "lax morals", I think strip
clubs are immoral. Does that mean that everyone who's ever been to a
strip club shouldn't be allowed on the internet? What does that cover,
90% of the male population over the age of 21? Morality laws are
absurdly subjective; for once, the Supreme Court had some really good
reasons for declaring them un Constitutional (they did this back in the
1830's, I think...I'm going to have to research that).
" * Computer programs that do not include DRM and "Trusted
Computing" security should be prohibited from sale in the USA. These
incomplete computers present an easy target for hackers and must be
phased out to make way for modern American technology. Linux computers
are often provided without any anti-virus software, and often become
riddled with viruses. Removing these dangerous computers would make
life better for the rest of us."
This is so far beyond absurd I can't come up with a word to describe
it. On top of creating a government monopoly of computers, again
(Communism), this would actually make it easier for hackers, limiting
the number of systems they actually have to try to exploit. Also, I
hate to say this, but Windows itself doesn't have built-in Anti-Virus
software...it normally comes with, but it's not part of Windows, it's
3rd party. Also, despite being a Windows user myself, I do respect the
numbers...Windows, due to sheer popularity of usage, is also the most
popularly targeted OS for viruses. Also, there are several companies
that produce Linux-based OS's that are supposedly very reliable. This
would effectively outlaw them, once again, creating a monopoly over the
computer market.
" * Three strikes... Finally, we know that liberal hackers have a
tendancy to re-offend. We need to provide a much stronger dis-incentive
to cause harm. In certain states, the penalty for a third offence is
made stricter - for example even stealing a bottle of water could
result in a long prison sentence for somebody who had a series of
previous convictions. Hacking is a far greater crime, and accordingly
hackers should expect a life-sentence if they have been convicted more
than twice."
I've heard of "Three strikes" laws before, believe we have it in
Missouri, know we have it in Texas. And that'd be a great proposition.
Maybe not a life sentence, depending on the severity of the crimes,
but for a repeat hacker who commits credit-card fraud and causes severe
damage? Certainly. Go for it. All behind you.
Seriously, I'm Christian, I'm God-fearing, I'm Republican (only got to
vote for Bush once though, legal voting age requirements). But I find
your comments and rhetoric to more closely resemble a Communist or
Facist than an American (and yes, I don't count members of the
so-called American Communist party and the various neo-Nazi groups as
Americans...personally, I think they should be declared dangerous
animals, and there should be an open year-round season on them).
Either take the time and research your claims, or shut the fuck up and
let the informed conservatives do the arguing. You provide more fuel
for my hippy liberal opponents than I really need, because you force me
to disagree with you, and they take that as agreeing with them...which
makes it all the harder to shut them down when they get going.
Last but not least, I offer my credentials. I actually bothered to
graduate high school, and learn English. I may misspell one or two
words, but I don't fuck up every sentence like you do. I have a
healthy amount of training with several coding languages. I am a NRA
member, and actively exercise my 2nd Amendment rights in over 50 ways.
I am also an AOPA member, and currently have a C2M from the FAA, a
Commercial Pilot's Certificate, and am working on my CFII. I spent 4
years in Army JROTC, 2 years in ROTC, before being medically DQ'ed.
I've studied any number of subjects, from advanced macroeconomics to
organic chemistry and genetic engineering. And before you start
spouting about college indoctrination by liberals, it was Texas A & M,
and I was in the Aggie Corps, the single largest full-time ROTC outfit
outside the actual service academies. It's one of the few truely
conservative colleges left in the US. Hell, our on-campus Democratic
party's slogan is "You are not alone!".
Aurain
directed towards Tristan, not Shelley. My mistake.