**************************************************************************** >C O M P U T E R U N D E R G R O U N D< >D I G E S T< *** Volume 2, Issue #2.17 (December 16, 1990) ** **************************************************************************** MODERATORS: Jim Thomas / Gordon Meyer (TK0JUT2@NIU.bitnet) ARCHIVISTS: Bob Krause / Alex Smith RESIDENT INSOMNIAC: Brendan Kehoe USENET readers can currently receive CuD as alt.society.cu-digest. COMPUTER UNDERGROUND DIGEST is an open forum dedicated to sharing information among computerists and to the presentation and debate of diverse views. CuD material may be reprinted as long as the source is cited. Some authors, however, do copyright their material, and those authors should be contacted for reprint permission. It is assumed that non-personal mail to the moderators may be reprinted unless otherwise specified. Readers are encouraged to submit reasoned articles relating to the Computer Underground. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DISCLAIMER: The views represented herein do not necessarily represent the views of the moderators. Contributors assume all responsibility for assuring that articles submitted do not violate copyright protections. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ------------------------------ Subject: Earning your Stripes From: Silver Surfer Date: Tue, 11 Dec 90 07:06 EDT ******************************************************************** *** CuD #2.17: File 5 of 7: Earning your Stripes *** ******************************************************************** In an article by Katie Hafner entitled "Morris Code", she describes a long standing tradition that computer security experts have earned their stripes by defeating the computer's barriers. But now instead of earning pin stripes, hackers are earning their prison stripes for defeating computer's barriers. What has happened to change the norms and values in the computer world in the last 10 to 15 years? Now it is a crime to pursue forbidden unlawful computer knowledge. Just recently the "Atlanta Three" (Robert Riggs, Adam Grant and Franklin Darden) have been sentenced to prison terms for breaking into the BellSouth computer systems. It is stated by the government that these individuals have a vast knowledge concerning computer and telecommunication services. So with this aptitude they are being sent to prison where they might learn a lesson. What lesson might they learn, I do not know. It is hard to believe that the government would not impose a fine on them and community service similar to what Morris received (but then again I bet none of their fathers are at the NSA..or could afford the lawyers Morris's family provided their son). I think the "Atlanta Three" should be viewed as technological clepto maniacs. They would pursue information and knowledge even though they knew the means were illegal. You could say that their value system of right and wrong was skewed. But is this a reason to imprison these young men? Their critics site the millions of dollars lost (just like the thousands of dollars for the 911 manuscript ....it's revised net value is under $20 now) and the threat to life they could have caused through network disruption. The key words are COULD HAVE CAUSED. They never actually caused loss of life or injury to anyone. If that was the case, I would drive them to prison myself. So the federal government has issued a message to hackers and phreaks, that the only stripes you can earn now are prison stripes. ******************************************************************** >> END OF THIS FILE << ***************************************************************************  Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253 12yrs+