Information Security News mailing list archives
Subject: Re: [ISN] Study Says Hacker Sites Fuel Crime
From: mea culpa <jericho () DIMENSIONAL COM>
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 07:41:18 -0600
Reply From: "Jay D. Dyson" <jdyson () techreports jpl nasa gov> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- On Mon, 25 Oct 1999, mea culpa wrote:
CARLSBAD, Calif. (APBnews.com) [10.19.99] -- Web sites offering instructions and software for computer hacking are helping to fuel the growth of cybercrime, according to a survey by a high-tech research firm.
While the above statement on its face may be accurate, I could not disagree more with its connotation. The problem is not the availability of data on how to breach a system; the problem is that the system can be breached in the first place.
"The Internet has always been a haven for computer criminals," said research analyst Adam Harriss.
And all heroin addicts started out on mother's milk. Look, criminals are criminals. The Internet is no more a haven for them than darkened alleys. It's just more sensational to mix crime and technology. I don't buy the hype.
"The technologically savvy hackers have been online swapping tips and programming for decades, but now the information is being posted and sold at low cost in a form that even the techno-illiterate can understand.
Wait a minute...who's selling 'em? Last I saw, every cracking tool was freeware or, at the most, shareware. It was only the snakeoil security products that were actually getting *sold* for a hefty buck.
Causing damage to machines and infiltrating systems has become as easy as putting together a child's Christmas toy."
Yes, and clueless members of the media consistently refer to such scriptkiddies as "hackers." - -Jay ( ______ )) .--- "There's always time for a good cup of coffee" ---. >===<--. C|~~| (>--- Jay D. Dyson - jdyson () techreports jpl nasa gov ---<) | = |-' `--' `-- Encrypt as if your life depends on it. It does. --' `-----' -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.2 iQCVAwUBOBSnn4zYnY/37fGZAQFFigP/cXdMVS8/NQv9JdALHvfJSS3kf5IlAHXT 1YQkkJZgEPrH1+xFAg5uH0kaYvnCfve/IRXn/Od3GebccjZCUNDkkS3JBGq2yJQe d70BtqPLZtVbkLjExqG3pxy7/Gpvz5ZC0jLoD6nxH1DAsTAPo7zM1ipajDzA6O4z AwHaq7ImMrs= =MUAq -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- ISN is sponsored by Security-Focus.COM
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- Subject: Re: [ISN] Study Says Hacker Sites Fuel Crime mea culpa (Oct 27)