what is everyones veiw on this?

I think if you've got a network secure it, if not you're open to hackers etc. If a country can't secure it's IT system it deserves everything it gets, if a bloke on a 56k modem can do, imagine if a terrorist network on broadband


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4757375.stm

I have a side which sympathises with the guy due to the nature of his hacking, however....

If a country can't secure it's IT system it deserves everything it gets

Does that mean if I leave my car unlocked by accident I deserve to have my stereo robbed?

No, but you would do all you can to protect the stereo, you wouldn't leave your car open by accident all the time for two years

Mr McKinnon has admitted that he spent almost two years exploring these networks

i only agree to hacking to show companies weeknesses in their systems, but not to do mallicouse damage...

I welcome people to show me the weeknesses on my server, but if they change anything i will report them.

If the security was as sloppy as the man claims he should have some company in the dock.
I came across a quote somewhere that the world wide web was started by twenty people who all knew each other. It's a worry if people running a country's defence systems are still thinking that way.

Originally Posted by brain_damage

No, but you would do all you can to protect the stereo, you wouldn't leave your car open by accident all the time for two years

Valid point. I guess what I am getting at was the argument of when someone "deserves" to pay for their mistakes. Does someone who's smoked for 20 years deserve to die from lung cancer because they were stupid enough to smoke?

Don't get me wrong I am as quick to shake my head as the next person when I hear these stories but does it make it right that someone should exploit it by stealing confidential data?

i havent heard the full story of this, if confidential data has been taken fair play prosecute, but if he has just shown the hole to them don't.

but that is my view.

ive had to report someone trying to use my e-mail system to send e-mails... unknowingly to them my e-mail service if being hosted by microsoft. i managed to trace the persons IP's and reported the person to their ISP even though they lived in turkey.