Mitnick: It's a new breed of hackers

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The Reality of Hacking: The laws prohibiting hacking is based upon myths.

The myth of hacking is that we actually get into your computer system and/or network.

The reality is that we cannot enter your computers...we ring the door bell and your computer spews forth data that you would rather keep private. Computers are configured by default to be cyber-sluts who "put out" to everyone who rings their bells (ports).

Keeping private data private is like living in a glass house and calling the cops if we are walking down the street and see everything in your house from the sidewalk. Again, we never entered your house to steal anything from you.

Here another illustration of what actually happens during hacking:

I call you up on the telephone (no computers are involved, nor is any misrepresentation involved), and you answer the call. We exchange our "hello" protocol with each other, then I ask you some questions and you answer everyone of them...even if the info is the kind of stuff you might want to keep private...credit card numbers, bank info, etc, etc. You are a blabber mouth...you have very loose lips...you are a bragging fool. So why would I get arrested for your gushing at the mouth?

A similar illustration also using phone calls that involves an automated call center. I am calling my cable company about my account. I follow the menu, and for some anomalous reason it gives someone else's account info...name, address, phone, SSN#, credit card numbers, e-checking data. Now, I didn't ask for that at all...some screw up with the program just spewed the info at me. Yet why am I being arrested soley because my call exposed confidential data?

I would agree that what I do with the data is what is most important. If I simply ignore and forget the private data...no harm is done. If I use you data in immoral ways, like identity theft or buying stuff on your credit cards...yes that is a criminal as well as an immoral act that does real harm.

Should I be arrested simply for asking you questions? Why are you such a fool to divulge sensitive private info to a stranger?

Now the reality: Why are computers so willing to expose confidential private information to every Tom, Dick, and Harry and comes along and asks for the info? The reason is that is the way they are designed and configured out of the box. All computers will answer a port call...that is how they are designed.

Why are normal users so willing to use a computer for storing such sensitive data about their lives? Because they simply don't know the real manner in how computers operate and the risks of networking.

Hacking is nothing more than living in a neighborhood, walking along the side walk, and saying "howdy" to our neighbors. Yeah, I might ask some nosey questions, but you don't have to answer. It is called freedom of speech. I have the right to ask whatever I want, and you have the right to keep private whatever you want...that is normal in human communication no matter what form it takes.; Posted by: cburgess Posted on: 11/04/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use