32-bit word length for audio? I think not. 24-bit is the cieling at the moment.
Hacker training is not new...
on
Hacker U.
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· Score: 1
Many companies have offered hacker training classes for ages now. At the moment, Ernst & Young, Foundstone, Global Knowledge and many other companies offer classes that will teach you how to break into systems.
Well, yes it does... it also makes sense to have an implement a strict security policy for both the users and the network devices, so that such incidents would be impossible. But you know, things don't work out that way. Are most school networks secured the way one should be, or even at all? In most cases no. I've never gone to a school where there were proper firewalls in place.
As far as fiddling around being the best way to learn, I agree. I learned a lot fucking around with my middle school's Xenix network when I was 13. I learned a lot fucking around on my public library's SVR4 server when I was 13. But you know what? You also learn that when you get caught, you don't cry about it. You accept the consequences.
In any case, it's not okay to shoot someone who's wearing a bulletproof vest because it's properly protected. Who knows, maybe the school's machines were locked down properly, and they logged him doing a portscan or something.
Oh, and he'd learn a whole lot doing irrepairable damage to the filesystems or databases, but that knowledge is hardly is worth the price.
Yes, in fact I have very seriously, including a brief institutionalization. I do understand what I'm talking about. I also know many other people that have been in similar situations, and have discussed suicide in general with very capable professionals. I do stand by my statements and believe that this child *must* have had serious emotional problems prior to this incident. He may have had trouble discussing them with his parents or others to the point where even in his suicide note he felt uncomfortable expressing them.
Some of you people have got to be kidding me. When I was in the sixth grade, I screwed around with my middle school's network. (If anyone reading this goes to Half Hollow Hills middle school, I'd love to hear from you!) You know what they did? Why, they suspended me. And guess what? I deserved it. You can say whatever you like, but the way that the administration is going to see it is that you're screwing around on a network that contains very important data. Being told be the kid that he knows what he's doing is bullshit to them. What if he had screwed up and fubared the all the grading data or the attendence records? Suspension isn't an excessive punishment for potentially endangering all the data on the school's/county's/state's network. Very real damage could be done.
As far as suicide, that's bullshit. No one kills themself over a suspension. Find a therapist or a psychologist or a counselor. Ask them if they think even a chronic over-achiever with strict parents would do something like that over a suspension. In fact, I'd like to know why the journalist didn't. People who end their lives invariably have a history of emotional instability. And believe me, that can be hidden from the most intrusive of parents easily.
So, in conclusion, this article is bullshit. An unstable kid did something stupid, got punished for it, and that along with whatever else he was dealing with was just a little too much. Maybe a week from now those parents will find the kid's journal or one of his friends will come forward and tell them about what his feelings were *really* like.
1) if this "problem" has been around since the mid-80's why has it never been exploited?
It has been... Mitnick used it, in fact, to get rootshell via rshd, which does authentication via ip adressing, which you can spoof using the TCP sequence attack.
I work in the security field. People do stuff like this all the time. Gaurdent wanted some attention. The hole was first noticed by none other than Robert Tappan Morris in like 1988 or something. Its first known actual use was by Kevin Mitnick to break into Tsutomou Shimommomomruromomrura's computer.
I'm sorry, but I found the horribly negative tone of this article very offending. It seemed to imply that you should have the right to steal satellite television. If I ran a company and people found a way to get its services for free, I'd probably be pissed too.
I am a moral person, and I hope you are too. Pay for things you want.
This movie has nothing to do with geek culture at all. Hardly "News for Nerds". I don't read slashdot to see this kind of stuff, there are movie websites devoted entirely to the analysis and review of films. Slashdot is not one of them.... someone put a leash on JonKatz already.
This should not have been posted to slashdot... while it is flattering to have slashdot's opinion asked about issues, I do not read slashdot to find out about drug-abuse issues. Specifically ones not pertinent to technology.
However, I am a high school student in Atlanta, GA who has taken DARE and I will answer. No, DARE is not effective. The students that would not drink anyway do not. The students that would not take drugs anyway do not. DARE does not lean the students in the middle toward not using these substances. Almost everyone I know has tried marijuana and certaintly has drunk before. I also know many straight-A students who are on their way to ivy league schools who use marijuana, ecstasy, and many who drink. DARE just doesn't work. "Educating" students about the negative consequence doesn't work. Experiencing them does... I smoked pot for three years (grades 6 - 9) and my memory has certaintly been negatively affected. I stopped. Similarly, knowing people who have been hit by drunk driver or people who have driven while drunk has influenced me not to do so. In any situation, there is no substitute for real experience. Education only gets you so close.
Retina scanners may sound great for biometric identification, but they have a pretty big flaw. Pregnant women develop new veins in their retinas, so that the pattern changes. Iris scans work fine though. British telecom has a device that will capture an iris pattern through a car windshield at 50mph. For some good reading on biometrics, check out _Database Nation_ by Simson Garfinkel... published by ORA, no less.
First of all, I am a very big supporter of free speech.... I have written checks to the ACLU even when I do not have a job. I absolutly resent government interference with the publication of ideas that may offend others, including hate speech, unpopular criticism, memorandums and documents of three letter agencies, etc.
However, I have no problem with the the government interfering with libel, as long as it actually is libel. Libel is false information that is published with no other intention than to harm one's character.... by it's nature, libel is both pointless and also lacking in constructive criticism. I have absolutly no desire to encounter this kind of speech anywhere. If you have an opinion that you cannot back up with fact or evidence, and have no other reason to express this opinion other than to hurt someone else pointlessly, I do not mind the prevention of the publication of this speech. I do not want the New York Times editor-in-chief to be able to use his platform to blast his ex-wife for no particular reason.
I do, however, strongly disagree with manner in which this case was dealt with regarding the search and seizure and the fanfare with which it was carried out. But this comment really isn't about that.
The idea that source code is free speech has always been obvious to me. Think about it. I can goto Amazon.com (if we're not boycotting them) and order books on how to build and atomic bomb or emp gun or assault rifle, how to break into computers and wreak havoc, and many other worse things I'm sure.... all of these have been very explicitly labelled FREE SPEECH. Countless trials uphold this statement... And surely "malicious" source code is not worse than any of these in its worst form. So if you needed to find a legal way of justifying why source code should have first amendment rights, look no further.... "Surely your honor, this book," lawyer holds a copy of _The Anarchy Cookbook_ (yes it exists in print form), "is much more dangerous than this.", lawyer holds up floppy disk with the RTM worm source code.
People just don't understand that a clever hack, even a malicious one sometimes, is art, and cannot be suppressed. (Screw you, Guiliani!!!)
The idea that source code is free speech has always been obvious to me. Think about it. I can goto Amazon.com (if we're not boycotting them) and order books on how to build and atomic bomb or emp gun or assault rifle, how to break into computers and wreak havoc, and many other worse things I'm sure.... all of these have been very explicitly labelled FREE SPEECH. Countless trials uphold this statement... And surely "malicious" source code is not worse than any of these in its worst form. So if you needed to find a legal way of justifying why source code should have first amendment rights, llok no further.... "Surely your honor, this book," lawyer holds a copy of _The Anarchy Cookbook_ (yes it exists in print form), "is much more dangerous than this.", lawyer holds up floppy disk with the RTM worm source code.
People just don't understand that a clever hack, even a malicious one sometimes, is art, and cannot be suppressed. (Screw you, Guiliani!!!)
Awhile ago during the whole Jane's thing I brought up a comment about the Slashdot community. I like to see things that way. We are a specific segment of a population united by common interests. (Although opinions certaintly can differ greatly.)
I am aware that I do not run Slashdot. I've moderated before, but that's not the same. The truth is, Slashdot is an oligarthy. I'm not saying that there's a big Dr. Strangelove warroom somewhere in the Andover building (hmmmm.... post that to alt.conspiracy) that the slashadmins sit in and plan nuclear assaults on Redmond, but the truth is that it's controlled by only a few when there are thousands upon thousands of readers. And although this is Rob's and Hemo's and whomever else's production, I think when it comes to content, it's being done for the readers. And if the readers don't like we can protest-- not go to slashdot.
I am absolutly not about to suggest that people boycott slashdot on the account of the widespread dissaproval of JonKatz's writing. (I'm not even going to go out of my way to prove it exists.). But there should be a way to do an approval poll for things like this. We polled for beanie awards, can we make a "Should we or shouldn't we oust JonKatz" vote? I'm ready to cut him loose. There are tons of posts explaining why he doesn't belong here. Accounts registered before the date of the announcement of the polling would be eligible to vote. (This way I can't make nineteen accounts and vote for each of them, and never use them again.). And if say, two-thirds want him gone, well.... sorry Johnny, but your work isn't appreciated here. No hard feelings.
Holes in my theory I am aware of: Don't like Katz? Change your display preferences. Exclude his posts. This is censoring the minority who do like him. I'm religious (Jewish). Maybe since most of slashdot are against organized religion, I shouldn't be able to talk. Note that this isn't really the same thing, since I can't (and wouldn't if I could) post stories about Judaism. But the concept is there. Some people do appreciate his writing.
I would love to here feedback and am very open to someone shooting down my theory using good logic.... email/reply very welcome.
The lowest form of popular culture - lack of information, misinformation, disinformation, and a contempt for the truth or the reality of most people's lives - has overrun real journalism. Today, ordinary Americans are being stuffed with garbage. Carl Bernstein (b. 1944), U.S. journalist. Guardian (London, 3 June 1992).
What is wrong with all of you guys? Really. Linus Torvalds and his fellow tech workers in Silly Valley are very well set. They are very well paid and certaintly in the affluent classes of society.... I have people reworking my roof right now. Bunch of hispanics who I doubt sincerely are citizens and quite possibly are illegal immigrants just because the INS is so fucked up right now... I bet a lot of them have families who barely eat. They need green cards. Linus'll be alright.... minority immigrants doing manual labor to stay from starving may not... they need some help. They need the INS to hurry up and untangle their mess. We shouldn't fight for Linus's rights here, there are more deserving.
If there is anyone reading this and is feeling emotionally troubled and would like to talk to someone who has been in similar situations and would like to help others through it email me.
I guess my real question here is whether or not JP disagrees with this statement and how. I would like to know how JP's analysis differs from mine. I would like to know whether he considers himself better than those that visit his site.
[This is part of an unfinished letter I was in the process of writing to AntiOnline awhile ago... even before the Packet Storm buisness. I am very confident that it is an accurate evaluation of the kind of crowd sites like AntiOnline attract.] Hello. I attend a high school here in a suburb of one of the major cities in the united states. Almost everyone here has a computer and it is just as common for them to subscribe to an internet service provider. Lately, it seems that there are many of these teenagers (or even pre-teens) are interested in computer security. (Or so they claim.) This in itself is not surprising. Computers have played a large role in the shaping of twentieth-century America. (If I keep talking like this they'll put me on the Discovery Channel.) Computers are everywhere. In the corner of every billboard is a world wide web address. You can not go through a box of frozen waffles without being berrated at to "Visit www.cyberwaffles.com for the digiwaffles experience pushing binary envelope!" (I do not know if it exists. If it does, please run to your local establishment of religion and _pray_!). Schools, the establishment where those of the noted age spend hours of each day, are now inseperably intertwined into the ubiquitous (Yeah, that's right kid, reach for your dictionary.) computer-culture of networks, servers and databases. Another facet of life that teenagers often experience is rebellion. Everyone wants to be James Dean. Marilyn Manson, Korn and Ozzy Ozzbourne* are all examples of rebellious outlets. Others include shoplifting, cigarettes, and flavor crystals in Cinn*a*burst gum. I know people who will commit pointless, but incriminating feats of idiocy in school and then revel in pride when they are called to the assistant principle's office. It's a stage for most people. Most people experience it some time. Beyond this, you can read the volumes of psychiatry on adolescent rebellion ( Cheesy psychiatrist voice: Do you do this to your parent's because it makes you feel like you're getting back at them, Bobby?). This combination breeds a special type of teenager. It is easy to tell who is and isn't. Let's see here... People of this type often...
o Claim to be "Hackers, Hax0rz, etc." o Use Microsoft Windows (And every now and then a Mac user.) o Pirate Software ("Warez") o Have simple knowledge of the way that MS-DOS and Windows systems work. (i.e. Modify Autoexec.bat, win.ini, etc.) o Have intrest in "anarchy"-type information. (Jolly Roger-Anarchist cookbook, etc.) o Use AOL or SLIP/PPP type network connection. o May use viruses o Use simple "hacking" programs
Let me explain these points. First, everyone has some definition of what a hacker is. (A definition which is mostly wrong.) There is all kinds of media surrounding these misconceptions. I will list a few:
o Movies : _Hackers_ (The worst of them), _The Net_, _Masterminds_, the movie in the works by Miramax about Kevin Mitnick, many, many made-for-tv-movies.
o Books: _Secrets of A Superhacker_, _The Happy Hacker's Handbook_ (please whatever you do, don't read this), _Cyberpunk_ (Kevin Mitnick has been in jail a long time unneccassarily and John Markoff helped put him there.), _The Cyberpunk Handbook_ (to the point of hilarity), and many, many "cyber-novels" (a phrase of Upright Citizen's Brigade Fame).
So everyone is pretty sure a hacker is someone who breaks into computers, right? Wrong. See the _Jargon File_ or _The New Hacker's Dictionary_. Anyway, these troubled youths choose to identify themselves as "hackers", because in their definition, "hacking" is what they do. On to the flawed existence of Microsoft Windows. Windows is the most common operating system on the face of the earth if I am not mistaken. Real hackers, whenever remotely possible, do not concern themselves with Windows. Go get Linux. The fact that the these who claim to be "elite" are using a operating system that is the equivalent of a sanitarium with padded walls and crayons for writing letters can be used to prove that these "hackers" are really technically inept. Software piracy, a.k.a. "warez" is a common activity of these faux "hackers" because it gives them a sense of doing something that is wrong and more importantly, illegal. This is easily attributable to their rebellious nature, which was discussed earlier. Here I will note the importance of flashy graphics. I have seen many, many "hax0r" webpages that are done entirely in Adobe Photoshop with nothing but selection and Alien Skin Software EyeCandy plugins. Most of these pages (probably yours if you used lots of EyeCandy) have *no* element of graphic design whatsoever. It is easy to impress these so-called "hackers" with this kind of design. They thrive on social support for self-confidence and attempt to impress each other with these pointless images. This is why Adobe Photoshop is a common item on "warez" pages. Everyone has used computers. Some people know more than others. In this case with the kids I am discussing, they may or may not know more, but by only a thin margin. It is even possible that they may know BASIC programming. Their peers see that they have (slightly) surperior knowledge and may express admiration. This is what builds up the whole "elite" attitude. No one likes an egomaniac. Anarchy files is a simple extension of the need for rebellion. No one really needs to know how to make napalm. No one reading this, at least. Intrest such as these are purely childish and even less justifiable than software piracy. If the government ever makes an organized attempt at complete totalitarianism, the only thing you will be able to do is insert your head between your legs and kiss your sorry ass goodbye. The single most popular isp among these wannabes is probably aol. AOL is a terrible company (although they did score points with the Netscape open-source issue) and is the least desirable access provider anywhere. I would rather live in North Korea and eat dog than show up on someone's server log as coming from an aol ip address. Aol isn't always the way modus operandi, though. But reagrdless, they will, with few exceptions, always use a SLIP/PPP networking connections. Why is this relevant? Because it shows their technical hopelessness. I garauntee you that you can sit any of these "hakz0rs" down at a bash shell and the first thing they will try to do is type "win" or maybe "dir *.exe" and finally "help". They need their precious gui interfaces because without them they will drown in their sea of bad MS-DOS syntax. This is statement can be supported by their love for cheesy graphics. Do you think most "31337 d00dz" optimize their sites for Lynx? I didn't think so. Computer viruses. Personally, I think that anyone that has taken the time to learn assembly should write themself a microkernel so they can network their toaster ovens or electric toothbrushes or do something at least semi-productive. But alas, it appears some insist upon pointlessly annoying innocent computer users. Not that these people that are capable of producing such programs are common in "hak3r" culture. Virus distribution is just another way to feel rebellious and badass while in reality it's the equivalent of setting random people's homes on fire. Pretty cool, huh? AOHell, WinNuke, port scanners, Back Orifice, the list goes on. It appears that every now and then one of these kids actually figures out the winsock control in Visual Basic and in a malevolent orgy of simplemindedness produces another one of these idiot machines. (My sincere apologies to the l0pht; I don't care how many CERT advisories you've caused, you still can't spell.) I program. In C. No, not Visual C++, that doesn't count. Try the GNU compiler for a real programming experience. Lost without your anarchy symbol pointer and some buttons to push, huh? All of these programs are simple to design. WinNuke is something like five winsock.dll calls, I believe. Back Orifice isn't the genius it's made out to be. Wow guys, I'm in this guys hard drive! Remote access utilities are very common. Back Orifice is not the first or the best,, by any measure. The only difference is that Back Orifice makes a few registry calls, uses datagrams and runs transparently. The people who use such programs think that their designers are really "l33t", when in truth they are just simple socket programming exercises. No magic. The vast majority of the so-called "hacking" population does not know how to program anything at all and uses these programs without caring how they work. Where's the hacker spirit at? If you meet any two of those conditions, with exception to numbers two, four and six, I would immediatly seek out psychiatric help for your immaturity. I have now defined, and hopefully clearly so, what I think of most people my age who call themselves hackers really are like. I meet these types of people in alarming frequency. A few weeks ago another student told me, and then when I told him he was wrong *insisted* that the reason he could access the MS-DOS shell was because of an error in the *server* software. I'm sure. Now I know why the network at my school is protected very well. It doesn't need to be with people like him. Virus protection maybe, but I wouldn't worry about the bindery too much. These people constantly are asking me "How do I hack the school's network?" or "Do you use Back Orifice" (always mispronouncing "orifice") and lately, it seems the question has been "Have you been to AntiOnline?".
[I have not reread this before posting (yeah, I know, poor form) but I am quite confident that it is still an accurate representation of the facts and what I believe./Please/ email me with feedback, questions, comments, or job offers.]
So what if the whole thing has allusions to other stories that have been written before? That does not make it deep. I'd say that _Alice in Wonderland_ and the bible were pretty good pieces of writing, yes. Maybe it touched on interesting philosophy that has been covered before (by greater minds than Keanu Reeves). But that does not make _The Matrix_ "quality" or "deep" by association at all. If I make a slashdot-themed soft-porn for Cinemax with Hemos having sex with Death while playing chess like in The Seventh Seal, and have Rob poinking a replicant while making origami like in Blade Runner, but this does not give my soft-porn the qualities of these films. The Matrix was another Titanic, and that's it.
Slashdot Mirror
32-bit word length for audio? I think not. 24-bit is the cieling at the moment.
Many companies have offered hacker training classes for ages now. At the moment, Ernst & Young, Foundstone, Global Knowledge and many other companies offer classes that will teach you how to break into systems.
they will ask for your age, gender, and ZIP code.
Fact: Approximatly two thirds of the population of the United States can be identified with that information. Not kidding.
Kevin "Cash Money" Spett
Well, yes it does... it also makes sense to have an implement a strict security policy for both the users and the network devices, so that such incidents would be impossible. But you know, things don't work out that way. Are most school networks secured the way one should be, or even at all? In most cases no. I've never gone to a school where there were proper firewalls in place.
As far as fiddling around being the best way to learn, I agree. I learned a lot fucking around with my middle school's Xenix network when I was 13. I learned a lot fucking around on my public library's SVR4 server when I was 13. But you know what? You also learn that when you get caught, you don't cry about it. You accept the consequences.
In any case, it's not okay to shoot someone who's wearing a bulletproof vest because it's properly protected. Who knows, maybe the school's machines were locked down properly, and they logged him doing a portscan or something.
Oh, and he'd learn a whole lot doing irrepairable damage to the filesystems or databases, but that knowledge is hardly is worth the price.
Kevin "Cash Money" Spett
Yes, in fact I have very seriously, including a brief institutionalization. I do understand what I'm talking about. I also know many other people that have been in similar situations, and have discussed suicide in general with very capable professionals. I do stand by my statements and believe that this child *must* have had serious emotional problems prior to this incident. He may have had trouble discussing them with his parents or others to the point where even in his suicide note he felt uncomfortable expressing them.
Kevin "Cash Money" Spett
Some of you people have got to be kidding me. When I was in the sixth grade, I screwed around with my middle school's network. (If anyone reading this goes to Half Hollow Hills middle school, I'd love to hear from you!) You know what they did? Why, they suspended me. And guess what? I deserved it. You can say whatever you like, but the way that the administration is going to see it is that you're screwing around on a network that contains very important data. Being told be the kid that he knows what he's doing is bullshit to them. What if he had screwed up and fubared the all the grading data or the attendence records? Suspension isn't an excessive punishment for potentially endangering all the data on the school's/county's/state's network. Very real damage could be done.
As far as suicide, that's bullshit. No one kills themself over a suspension. Find a therapist or a psychologist or a counselor. Ask them if they think even a chronic over-achiever with strict parents would do something like that over a suspension. In fact, I'd like to know why the journalist didn't. People who end their lives invariably have a history of emotional instability. And believe me, that can be hidden from the most intrusive of parents easily.
So, in conclusion, this article is bullshit. An unstable kid did something stupid, got punished for it, and that along with whatever else he was dealing with was just a little too much. Maybe a week from now those parents will find the kid's journal or one of his friends will come forward and tell them about what his feelings were *really* like.
Kevin "Cash Money" Spett
The first time I read about this was in Ray Kurzweil's The Age of Spiritual Machines, which was published in 1999. Not a "new" idea.
Kspett
1) if this "problem" has been around since the mid-80's why has it never been exploited?
It has been... Mitnick used it, in fact, to get rootshell via rshd, which does authentication via ip adressing, which you can spoof using the TCP sequence attack.
Kspett
I work in the security field. People do stuff like this all the time. Gaurdent wanted some attention. The hole was first noticed by none other than Robert Tappan Morris in like 1988 or something. Its first known actual use was by Kevin Mitnick to break into Tsutomou Shimommomomruromomrura's computer.
Kspett
I'm sorry, but I found the horribly negative tone of this article very offending. It seemed to imply that you should have the right to steal satellite television. If I ran a company and people found a way to get its services for free, I'd probably be pissed too.
I am a moral person, and I hope you are too. Pay for things you want.
Kspett
This movie has nothing to do with geek culture at all. Hardly "News for Nerds". I don't read slashdot to see this kind of stuff, there are movie websites devoted entirely to the analysis and review of films. Slashdot is not one of them.... someone put a leash on JonKatz already.
Kspett
This should not have been posted to slashdot... while it is flattering to have slashdot's opinion asked about issues, I do not read slashdot to find out about drug-abuse issues. Specifically ones not pertinent to technology.
However, I am a high school student in Atlanta, GA who has taken DARE and I will answer. No, DARE is not effective. The students that would not drink anyway do not. The students that would not take drugs anyway do not. DARE does not lean the students in the middle toward not using these substances. Almost everyone I know has tried marijuana and certaintly has drunk before. I also know many straight-A students who are on their way to ivy league schools who use marijuana, ecstasy, and many who drink. DARE just doesn't work. "Educating" students about the negative consequence doesn't work. Experiencing them does... I smoked pot for three years (grades 6 - 9) and my memory has certaintly been negatively affected. I stopped. Similarly, knowing people who have been hit by drunk driver or people who have driven while drunk has influenced me not to do so. In any situation, there is no substitute for real experience. Education only gets you so close.
Kspett
The protocols that pgp uses, as well as the source code, are publicly distributed information. That will be all. get some sleep, buddy.
Kspett
Retina scanners may sound great for biometric identification, but they have a pretty big flaw. Pregnant women develop new veins in their retinas, so that the pattern changes.
Iris scans work fine though. British telecom has a device that will capture an iris pattern through a car windshield at 50mph.
For some good reading on biometrics, check out _Database Nation_ by Simson Garfinkel... published by ORA, no less.
Kspett
First of all, I am a very big supporter of free speech.... I have written checks to the ACLU even when I do not have a job. I absolutly resent government interference with the publication of ideas that may offend others, including hate speech, unpopular criticism, memorandums and documents of three letter agencies, etc.
However, I have no problem with the the government interfering with libel, as long as it actually is libel. Libel is false information that is published with no other intention than to harm one's character.... by it's nature, libel is both pointless and also lacking in constructive criticism. I have absolutly no desire to encounter this kind of speech anywhere. If you have an opinion that you cannot back up with fact or evidence, and have no other reason to express this opinion other than to hurt someone else pointlessly, I do not mind the prevention of the publication of this speech. I do not want the New York Times editor-in-chief to be able to use his platform to blast his ex-wife for no particular reason.
I do, however, strongly disagree with manner in which this case was dealt with regarding the search and seizure and the fanfare with which it was carried out. But this comment really isn't about that.
Kspett
The idea that source code is free speech has always been obvious to me. Think about it. I can goto Amazon.com (if we're not boycotting them) and order books on how to build and atomic bomb or emp gun or assault rifle, how to break into computers and wreak havoc, and many other worse things I'm sure.... all of these have been very explicitly labelled FREE SPEECH. Countless trials uphold this statement... And surely "malicious" source code is not worse than any of these in its worst form. So if you needed to find a legal way of justifying why source code should have first amendment rights, look no further.... "Surely your honor, this book," lawyer holds a copy of _The Anarchy Cookbook_ (yes it exists in print form), "is much more dangerous than this.", lawyer holds up floppy disk with the RTM worm source code.
People just don't understand that a clever hack, even a malicious one sometimes, is art, and cannot be suppressed. (Screw you, Guiliani!!!)
Kspett
The idea that source code is free speech has always been obvious to me. Think about it. I can goto Amazon.com (if we're not boycotting them) and order books on how to build and atomic bomb or emp gun or assault rifle, how to break into computers and wreak havoc, and many other worse things I'm sure.... all of these have been very explicitly labelled FREE SPEECH. Countless trials uphold this statement... And surely "malicious" source code is not worse than any of these in its worst form. So if you needed to find a legal way of justifying why source code should have first amendment rights, llok no further.... "Surely your honor, this book," lawyer holds a copy of _The Anarchy Cookbook_ (yes it exists in print form), "is much more dangerous than this.", lawyer holds up floppy disk with the RTM worm source code.
People just don't understand that a clever hack, even a malicious one sometimes, is art, and cannot be suppressed. (Screw you, Guiliani!!!)
Kspett
DeCSS code is legal now!
Hooray....
Kspett
Awhile ago during the whole Jane's thing I brought up a comment about the Slashdot community. I like to see things that way. We are a specific segment of a population united by common interests. (Although opinions certaintly can differ greatly.)
I am aware that I do not run Slashdot. I've moderated before, but that's not the same. The truth is, Slashdot is an oligarthy. I'm not saying that there's a big Dr. Strangelove warroom somewhere in the Andover building (hmmmm.... post that to alt.conspiracy) that the slashadmins sit in and plan nuclear assaults on Redmond, but the truth is that it's controlled by only a few when there are thousands upon thousands of readers. And although this is Rob's and Hemo's and whomever else's production, I think when it comes to content, it's being done for the readers. And if the readers don't like we can protest-- not go to slashdot.
I am absolutly not about to suggest that people boycott slashdot on the account of the widespread dissaproval of JonKatz's writing. (I'm not even going to go out of my way to prove it exists.). But there should be a way to do an approval poll for things like this. We polled for beanie awards, can we make a "Should we or shouldn't we oust JonKatz" vote? I'm ready to cut him loose. There are tons of posts explaining why he doesn't belong here. Accounts registered before the date of the announcement of the polling would be eligible to vote. (This way I can't make nineteen accounts and vote for each of them, and never use them again.). And if say, two-thirds want him gone, well.... sorry Johnny, but your work isn't appreciated here. No hard feelings.
Holes in my theory I am aware of:
Don't like Katz? Change your display preferences. Exclude his posts.
This is censoring the minority who do like him. I'm religious (Jewish). Maybe since most of slashdot are against organized religion, I shouldn't be able to talk. Note that this isn't really the same thing, since I can't (and wouldn't if I could) post stories about Judaism. But the concept is there. Some people do appreciate his writing.
I would love to here feedback and am very open to someone shooting down my theory using good logic.... email/reply very welcome.
The lowest form of popular culture - lack of information, misinformation, disinformation, and a contempt for the truth or the reality of most people's lives - has overrun real journalism. Today, ordinary Americans are being stuffed with garbage.
Carl Bernstein (b. 1944), U.S. journalist. Guardian (London, 3 June 1992).
Kspett
What is wrong with all of you guys?
Really.
Linus Torvalds and his fellow tech workers in Silly Valley are very well set. They are very well paid and certaintly in the affluent classes of society.... I have people reworking my roof right now. Bunch of hispanics who I doubt sincerely are citizens and quite possibly are illegal immigrants just because the INS is so fucked up right now... I bet a lot of them have families who barely eat. They need green cards. Linus'll be alright.... minority immigrants doing manual labor to stay from starving may not... they need some help. They need the INS to hurry up and untangle their mess. We shouldn't fight for Linus's rights here, there are more deserving.
Kspett
If there is anyone reading this and is feeling emotionally troubled and would like to talk to someone who has been in similar situations and would like to help others through it email me.
Kspett
Sue for libel/harrassment.
At least look into it.
Kspett
I guess my real question here is whether or not JP disagrees with this statement and how. I would like to know how JP's analysis differs from mine. I would like to know whether he considers himself better than those that visit his site.
Kspett
[This is part of an unfinished letter I was in the process of writing to AntiOnline awhile ago... even before the Packet Storm buisness. I am very confident that it is an accurate evaluation of the kind of crowd sites like AntiOnline attract.]
/Please/ email me with feedback, questions, comments, or job offers.]
Hello.
I attend a high school here in a suburb of one of the major cities in the united states. Almost everyone here has a computer and it is just as common for them to subscribe to an internet service provider. Lately, it seems that there are many of these teenagers (or even pre-teens) are interested in computer security. (Or so they claim.)
This in itself is not surprising. Computers have played a large role in the shaping of twentieth-century America. (If I keep talking like this they'll put me on the Discovery Channel.) Computers are everywhere. In the corner of every billboard is a world wide web address. You can not go through a box of frozen waffles without being berrated at to "Visit www.cyberwaffles.com for the digiwaffles experience pushing binary envelope!" (I do not know if it exists. If it does, please run to your local establishment of religion and _pray_!). Schools, the establishment where those of the noted age spend hours of each day, are now inseperably intertwined into the ubiquitous (Yeah, that's right kid, reach for your dictionary.) computer-culture of networks, servers and databases.
Another facet of life that teenagers often experience is rebellion. Everyone wants to be James Dean. Marilyn Manson, Korn and Ozzy Ozzbourne* are all examples of rebellious outlets. Others include shoplifting, cigarettes, and flavor crystals in Cinn*a*burst gum. I know people who will commit pointless, but incriminating feats of idiocy in school and then revel in pride when they are called to the assistant principle's office. It's a stage for most people. Most people experience it some time. Beyond this, you can read the volumes of psychiatry on adolescent rebellion ( Cheesy psychiatrist voice: Do you do this to your parent's because it makes you feel like you're getting back at them, Bobby?).
This combination breeds a special type of teenager. It is easy to tell who is and isn't. Let's see here... People of this type often...
o Claim to be "Hackers, Hax0rz, etc."
o Use Microsoft Windows (And every now and then a Mac user.)
o Pirate Software ("Warez")
o Have simple knowledge of the way that MS-DOS and Windows systems work. (i.e. Modify Autoexec.bat, win.ini, etc.)
o Have intrest in "anarchy"-type information. (Jolly Roger-Anarchist cookbook, etc.)
o Use AOL or SLIP/PPP type network connection.
o May use viruses
o Use simple "hacking" programs
Let me explain these points. First, everyone has some definition of what a hacker is. (A definition which is mostly wrong.) There is all kinds of media surrounding these misconceptions. I will list a few:
o Movies : _Hackers_ (The worst of them), _The Net_, _Masterminds_, the movie in the works by Miramax about Kevin Mitnick, many, many made-for-tv-movies.
o Books: _Secrets of A Superhacker_, _The Happy Hacker's Handbook_ (please whatever you do, don't read this), _Cyberpunk_ (Kevin Mitnick has been in jail a long time unneccassarily and John Markoff helped put him there.), _The Cyberpunk Handbook_ (to the point of hilarity), and many, many "cyber-novels" (a phrase of Upright Citizen's Brigade Fame).
So everyone is pretty sure a hacker is someone who breaks into computers, right? Wrong. See the _Jargon File_ or _The New Hacker's Dictionary_. Anyway, these troubled youths choose to identify themselves as "hackers", because in their definition, "hacking" is what they do.
On to the flawed existence of Microsoft Windows. Windows is the most common operating system on the face of the earth if I am not mistaken. Real hackers, whenever remotely possible, do not concern themselves with Windows. Go get Linux. The fact that the these who claim to be "elite" are using a operating system that is the equivalent of a sanitarium with padded walls and crayons for writing letters can be used to prove that these "hackers" are really technically inept.
Software piracy, a.k.a. "warez" is a common activity of these faux "hackers" because it gives them a sense of doing something that is wrong and more importantly, illegal. This is easily attributable to their rebellious nature, which was discussed earlier. Here I will note the importance of flashy graphics. I have seen many, many "hax0r" webpages that are done entirely in Adobe Photoshop with nothing but selection and Alien Skin Software EyeCandy plugins. Most of these pages (probably yours if you used lots of EyeCandy) have *no* element of graphic design whatsoever. It is easy to impress these so-called "hackers" with this kind of design. They thrive on social support for self-confidence and attempt to impress each other with these pointless images. This is why Adobe Photoshop is a common item on "warez" pages.
Everyone has used computers. Some people know more than others. In this case with the kids I am discussing, they may or may not know more, but by only a thin margin. It is even possible that they may know BASIC programming. Their peers see that they have (slightly) surperior knowledge and may express admiration. This is what builds up the whole "elite" attitude. No one likes an egomaniac.
Anarchy files is a simple extension of the need for rebellion. No one really needs to know how to make napalm. No one reading this, at least. Intrest such as these are purely childish and even less justifiable than software piracy. If the government ever makes an organized attempt at complete totalitarianism, the only thing you will be able to do is insert your head between your legs and kiss your sorry ass goodbye.
The single most popular isp among these wannabes is probably aol. AOL is a terrible company (although they did score points with the Netscape open-source issue) and is the least desirable access provider anywhere. I would rather live in North Korea and eat dog than show up on someone's server log as coming from an aol ip address. Aol isn't always the way modus operandi, though. But reagrdless, they will, with few exceptions, always use a SLIP/PPP networking connections. Why is this relevant? Because it shows their technical hopelessness. I garauntee you that you can sit any of these "hakz0rs" down at a bash shell and the first thing they will try to do is type "win" or maybe "dir *.exe" and finally "help". They need their precious gui interfaces because without them they will drown in their sea of bad MS-DOS syntax. This is statement can be supported by their love for cheesy graphics. Do you think most "31337 d00dz" optimize their sites for Lynx? I didn't think so.
Computer viruses. Personally, I think that anyone that has taken the time to learn assembly should write themself a microkernel so they can network their toaster ovens or electric toothbrushes or do something at least semi-productive. But alas, it appears some insist upon pointlessly annoying innocent computer users. Not that these people that are capable of producing such programs are common in "hak3r" culture. Virus distribution is just another way to feel rebellious and badass while in reality it's the equivalent of setting random people's homes on fire. Pretty cool, huh?
AOHell, WinNuke, port scanners, Back Orifice, the list goes on. It appears that every now and then one of these kids actually figures out the winsock control in Visual Basic and in a malevolent orgy of simplemindedness produces another one of these idiot machines. (My sincere apologies to the l0pht; I don't care how many CERT advisories you've caused, you still can't spell.) I program. In C. No, not Visual C++, that doesn't count. Try the GNU compiler for a real programming experience. Lost without your anarchy symbol pointer and some buttons to push, huh? All of these programs are simple to design. WinNuke is something like five winsock.dll calls, I believe. Back Orifice isn't the genius it's made out to be. Wow guys, I'm in this guys hard drive! Remote access utilities are very common. Back Orifice is not the first or the best,, by any measure. The only difference is that Back Orifice makes a few registry calls, uses datagrams and runs transparently. The people who use such programs think that their designers are really "l33t", when in truth they are just simple socket programming exercises. No magic. The vast majority of the so-called "hacking" population does not know how to program anything at all and uses these programs without caring how they work. Where's the hacker spirit at?
If you meet any two of those conditions, with exception to numbers two, four and six, I would immediatly seek out psychiatric help for your immaturity.
I have now defined, and hopefully clearly so, what I think of most people my age who call themselves hackers really are like. I meet these types of people in alarming frequency. A few weeks ago another student told me, and then when I told him he was wrong *insisted* that the reason he could access the MS-DOS shell was because of an error in the *server* software. I'm sure. Now I know why the network at my school is protected very well. It doesn't need to be with people like him. Virus protection maybe, but I wouldn't worry about the bindery too much. These people constantly are asking me "How do I hack the school's network?" or "Do you use Back Orifice" (always mispronouncing "orifice") and lately, it seems the question has been "Have you been to AntiOnline?".
[I have not reread this before posting (yeah, I know, poor form) but I am quite confident that it is still an accurate representation of the facts and what I believe.
Kspett
So what if the whole thing has allusions to other stories that have been written before? That does not make it deep. I'd say that _Alice in Wonderland_ and the bible were pretty good pieces of writing, yes. Maybe it touched on interesting philosophy that has been covered before (by greater minds than Keanu Reeves). But that does not make _The Matrix_ "quality" or "deep" by association at all. If I make a slashdot-themed soft-porn for Cinemax with Hemos having sex with Death while playing chess like in The Seventh Seal, and have Rob poinking a replicant while making origami like in Blade Runner, but this does not give my soft-porn the qualities of these films. The Matrix was another Titanic, and that's it.
Kspett