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PI License May Soon Be Required for Computer Forensics

buzzardsbay writes "The good folks over at Baseline Magazine have an intriguing — and worrisome — report on a movement to limit computer forensics work to those who have a Private Investigator license or those who work for licensed PI agencies. According to the story, pending legislation would limit the specialized task of probing deep into computer hard drives, network and server logs for telltale signs of hacking and data theft to the same people who advertise in the Yellow Pages for surveillance on cheating spouses, workers' compensation fraud and missing persons. Those caught practicing computer forensics without a license could face criminal prosecution."

13 of 282 comments (clear)

  1. License required for PI by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Am I breaking the law for this? 3.14159268

    1. Re:License required for PI by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Yes, because you have the wrong value. 3.14159268 should be 3.14159265 From memory: 3.1415926535897932385

  2. 3.141..... by celardore · · Score: 4, Funny

    I thought this article was about the irrational number at first.

  3. A new security measure by revengebomber · · Score: 3, Funny

    New snoop-proofing: chmod -R 000 / Anyone who tries to access your drive is obviously trying to perform computer forensics.

    --
    09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
    45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
    1. Re:A new security measure by wizardforce · · Score: 2, Funny

      even better:
      rm -rf /

      --
      Sigs are too short to say anything truly profound so read the above post instead.
  4. I don't see the problem by Urger · · Score: 4, Funny

    After all PI's get to drive around in their employer's red Ferrari and have witty repartee with the English Estate manager (who may or may not be ghostwriting the employer's books) while having casual sexual relationships with clients. In Hawaii. Am I right here folks?

  5. But most importantly... by Gordonjcp · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... does it mean I need to grow a big moustache, and do I get a Ferrari with it?

  6. This... by danwesnor · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...would stop the RIAA dead in their tracks.

  7. Re:Worrisome? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dude, if all sys admins had a gun, the 'net would be a better place. Far less crowded too!

  8. Re:Worrisome? RTFA by BarryJacobsen · · Score: 4, Funny

    The bills being considered are only about forensic evidence presented in court. Darn you with your "facts" and "reading the article"! Where's the hearsay and made up statistics, dammit!
  9. Re:This is good!? by GNUALMAFUERTE · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's because I have a /. Calendar. After December 2007, there is a dupe.

    --
    WTF am I doing replying to an AC at 5 A.M on a Friday night?
  10. Re:Worrisome? by wcb4 · · Score: 4, Funny

    about $3.14

    --
    I reject your reality ... and substitute my own.
  11. Right. I can see Guy Noir investigating now. by ydra2 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It was a cold blustery winter day in Chicago, the kind of cold that chills
    McDonalds coffee from "blistering shreds of dangling skin" hot to merely
    blistering hot. I downed the last gulp of coffee in my office on the 39th
    floor of the Acme building when she walked in the door. A sultry gorgeous
    dame, with long billowing blonde hair, and deep green eyes that burned with
    angst, and a figure that could pop out eyeballs in a gay bar. I tried to look
    her in the eyes but she had a mystique about her, something that told a man
    to lower his gaze. I complied with my gut feeling and I wasn't disappointed.
    She was to cleavage what Mount Rushmore is to monuments, and in that
    second before she spoke, I forgot all about lab reports, stake-out schedules,
    and my lost suit at Kim Speedee Dry Cleaning. Her dress was so tight I could
    read the J.C. Penny's label on her underware, and I was damned glad for that.

    After an awkward moment she spoke. "Mr. Noir, I have a laptop here. I think
    my husband has been using the built in web cam to spy on me when he's out
    of town...." I had to stop her there. "Just a minute Miss, I don't even know
    who you are." And she had the perfect answer when she replied with "I'm
    the widow of the late Johann Marstad, owner of Marstad Industries LTD.
    I'm Elenor Marstad. Will you look at this computer and tell me what you
    find?"

    Of course I had to know more. "Where and when do you normally use this
    computer?" I asked inquiringly, and once again she didn't disappoint.
    "Mostly late at night, in my bedroom." she unhesitatingly answered. My
    mission was rather clear. Find the pictures of a stunning beauty, on a
    laptop, showing her using it late at night in her bedroom. I'm a licensed
    PI so I have the right to do that. It's right there on the license, just
    after the part that gives us the right to spy on ordinary Americans, just
    before the section that reads "License to argue with Chief of Police."

    I was about to take the laptop when my secretary Sally came in...