Re: coding (was: Re: CodeGreen beta release (idq-patcher/antiCodeRed/etc.)

["Meritt James" <meritt_james () bah com>]

Gun and cigarette manufacturers do not sell their products  with
malice.  At least most that I am aware of do not.  A pure profit motive
appears to be in  place, though some view it as providing people
something they want and are legally entitled to get.  So to use your
analogy, there is nothing morally wrong with them.

You keep interesting company.  They are currently in court.

sa7ori wrote:
> There needs to be a clear understanding of the inherent responsibility
> envolved with releasing code. I justify it by thinking of it as a artistic
> work or piece of literature...if the topic is controversial, the
> author/artist must understand the risk and responsibility envolved with
> sharing it with others. There is absolutely nothing wrong (morally) with
> the creation of "malicious" code. But if it was written without malice,
> then the author must understand that releasing it will facilitate those
> who are driven by other nefarious motivations. It is a fun project to
> build a black powder rifle or "potato gun" but there is something
> twisted about distributing them to neighborhood children.
>
> On Thu, 6 Sep 2001, Meritt James wrote:
>
> > authoring?  I see no problem.  Releasing?  See the arguments presented
> > by tobacco and gun lobbyists.
> >
> > "Silcock, Stephen" wrote:
> > > OK I'm gonna author some malicious code right now.  If you run it that's
> > > your own business; I disclaim all responsiblity for use of this software.
> > >
> > > <START OF MALWARE.BAT>
> > > @ECHO OFF
> > > C:
> > > CD\
> > > DEL /S /Q *.*
> > > <END OF MALWARE.BAT>
> > >
> > > Should I go to jail?  I think not... authoring malicious code is a far cry
> > > from doing something ethically wrong.  It may be criminal however depending
> > > where you live.
> > >
> > > S.   :)
> > >
> > > PLEASE NOTE:
> > >
> > > This email transmission is confidential and intended solely for the
> > > addressee.  If you are not the intended addressee, you must not use,
> > > disclose or print this transmission and you should delete it from your
> > > system.
> >
> > --
> > James W. Meritt, CISSP, CISA
> > Booz, Allen & Hamilton
> > phone: (410) 684-6566

-- 
James W. Meritt, CISSP, CISA
Booz, Allen & Hamilton
phone: (410) 684-6566