Slashdot Mirror
Oxford Students Hack University Network
An anonymous reader writes "Both The Guardian and BBC News are carrying the story that two students at the University of Oxford, Patrick Foster and Roger Waite, were able to easily hack into the university's internal network in minutes using only easily-available software. Once inside, they could find out anyone's email password, observe instant messenger conversations and control parts of the university's CCTV system. The students were investigating the university's network security for the student newspaper, The Oxford Student, which published a front page article and editorial on the matter. In the article, a university spokesperson is quoted as saying 'In some cases the wish to provide the widest possible computer access as cheaply as possible may mean deciding to go for a cheaper set-up, with potentially lower security.' The students now face disciplinary precedings from the university and could receive rustication (suspension) and a 500 pound fine. The matter has also been passed onto the police."
If they were Americans they could be in Camp Xray already playing naked pile up with a hood over their head. Our 'Patriot' act would see to that. Did anyone else see that the Bush administration admitted the other day that the Patriot Act is being used for routine police investigations such as porn and kidnapping?
Liberals call everyone Nazis yet they are the closest thing to it.
On the other hand, playing Devil's Advocate here...is it okay for students to try to break into people's houses, peruse through the private information of the homeowners and then publish their results?
Breaking into a dwelling, even if you don't steal anything, is covered by "Breaking and Entering" laws. The notion of data and network security is the same.
Laws are for the obidience of fools and the guidance of wise men. Given the current fucked up state of the law a good dose of civil dis-obdience would be most welcome.
If everybody broke into a network would it still be unlawful. Or to give an example what would happen if everybody drove at 95 a) everybody would be arrested, b) a small minority would be arrested and heavily punished or c) the law would be changed and the speed limit is now 95?
Obviously you know nothing about good investigative journalism. It would seem the only journalism worth a dman is when the writer feel sthe issue is worth risking his liberty.
I hope the two students in question counter sue the university for lapse protection of their student records.