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Famous Criminal Opines that Technology Breeds Crime

Posted by Zonk on from the not-the-only-thing-that-breeds-online dept.

jcatcw writes "In an interview with Computerworld's editor in chief, Don Tennant, Frank Abagnale spoke about his life of crime and crime prevention. Abagnale is a notorious criminal, whose exploits were portrayed in the movie 'Catch Me If You Can.' Abagnale claims: 'It would be 4,000 times easier to do today, what I did 40 years ago, and I probably wouldn't go to prison for it. Technology breeds crime — it always has, it always will ... I really think the more technology there is in the world, the more you have to instill character and ethics. You can build all the security systems in the world; you can build the most sophisticated technology, and all it takes is one weak link — someone who operates that technology — to bring it all down." This would seem to echo commentary in a New York Times article about the rise of Russian hackers in recent years.

8 of 243 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Nature of Things by Smordnys+s'regrepsA · · Score: 0, Funny

    Wait, I thought it was supposed to be "take a bit out of crime"?

    --
    Just -1, Troll talking to another.
  2. Yeah... by NerveGas · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... because before the Internet, folks just sat around thinking "I wish I could go steal some money, but I just can't figure out how."

    --
    Oh, you're not stuck, you're just unable to let go of the onion rings.
  3. Re:Tech does not "breed" crime. by hnile_jablko · · Score: 5, Funny

    The problem is that the security model has not kept pace with the concept of "web services" offered by the banks. But if the banks were 100% liable for any loss, you'd see them focusing on the security.

    Are you a communist? Regulating business is bad you communist leftist vagina. : P

  4. Take that back! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    For everything that benefits society, along comes those who seek to use said benefits for personal, illicit gain.

    I will not stand for your impugning politicians in that manner!

  5. Notrious Criminal? by MissionAccomplished · · Score: 3, Funny

    Anyone know what it means to be 'Notrious'? Is that 'not nutritious'? Damned editors...

  6. You want moonbat? by Nazlfrag · · Score: 4, Funny

    We all know the Mayan long cycle is coming to a close as we realign with the galactic core ushering us into the dawn of the age of Aquarius. The Rapture is coming, but who will be the Antichrist come 2012? As always, the answer has been hidden in plain view.

    Let us take the name

    President Hillary Rodham Clinton

    We rearrange the letters and the truth comes to light!

    Rapid hell Antichrist demon, no rly

    We further rearrange these letters to complete the damming message:

    Antichrist lol no rly I'd dampen her

    Ignore the evidence at your own peril. Vote Ron Paul!

  7. all it takes is one weak link by SpaceLifeForm · · Score: 2, Funny

    You can build all the security systems in the world; you can build the most sophisticated technology, and all it takes is one weak link -- someone who operates that technology -- to bring it all down."

    Quite right. That is why Microsoft is a weak link.

    --
    You are being MICROattacked, from various angles, in a SOFT manner.
  8. I modded you down :) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Way to get me to mod you flamebait ;)

    And no, I don't care about the moderator 'guidelines.'