BBC botnet investigation turns hacks into hackers • The Register
Security is done in that grey area between right and wrong, where the need to protect your secrets is weighed against the need to be open, honest and accessible. Unfortunately many computer users have been lulled into a false sense of “security” by the very industry that sprung up out of the virus ridden late 80s to protect them. This has lead to the belief that just having a security program installed or trusting Microsoft’s bundled safeguards is going to keep you safe. Without proper diligence even the “cadillac” of security software isn’t going to be enough.
This vulnerability was made all too obvious this week when the BBC decided to step out of that grey area and jump headlong into the darkness. By taking over an established botnet of 22,000 unsuspecting PCs to run an “experiment” they engaged in exactly the same behavior as the villains they were trying to warn their viewers about. Now their defense is that they did it with the best of intensions, which I’m sure is true. However, should they expect the same “get out of jail” card to be played had they decided to go steal cars to prove how easy it was? I don’t think so.
The laws are pretty clear about what constitutes a computer crime in the UK (and elsewhere). Their final act of “kindness” really is the kicker. Without the PC owner’s permission, they modified the PC configurations to replace the existing desktop wallpaper with one explaining what they had done and advising the PC’s owner to get better protection. That’s a clear violation of the UK’s Computer Misuse Act. Was the car door open? Were the keys in the ignition? Probably. Doesn’t change the fact that the BBC got in and drove away.
BBC botnet investigation turns hacks into hackers • The Register.
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