Savanna.gnu.org compromised too [LWN.net]

Savanna.gnu.org compromised too

Posted Dec 4, 2003 16:53 UTC (Thu) by RobSeace (subscriber, #4435)
In reply to: Savanna.gnu.org compromised too by ccchips
Parent article: Savanna.gnu.org compromised too

Sure, of course the one breaking in is at prime fault... I don't think I
saw anyone arguing otherwise anywhere...

However, that doesn't mean you should say, "Well, since they're at fault, I
don't have to worry about protecting myself, then!"... That's just stupid...
Just because something is illegal, wrong, and/or anything else, does NOT
prevent some people from still doing it... Smart people will realize that
there are people out there that WILL do it, and so they'll take measures
to protect themselves... If they fail to do so, that doesn't mean the
person breaking in is any less criminal or wrong; but, it does mean they
have a lot easier time of it, and are more likely to get away with it...
Ranting and raving about how it's not YOUR fault someone broke in and stole
your stuff, just because you left your front door wide open is just rather
silly... Your stuff is still GONE, isn't it?? The person who stole it is
also long since gone, and will never be caught, will they?? So, why are you
yelling at the wind, and proclaiming your innocence? I don't think the
cops have any intention of throwing you in jail for not locking your door...
However, the only one you're hurting is yourself... So, it would be in your
own best interests to start locking those doors in the future...

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Savanna.gnu.org compromised too

Posted Dec 4, 2003 17:10 UTC (Thu) by ccchips (subscriber, #3222) [Link]

Absolutely right. Howefer:

Start with a wide-open door. Then a lock. Then a better lock. Then a dog. Then an alarm system. Then what---a full-time armed guard?

I'm just saying we should never lose sight of the causes for this situation happening in the first place. If those are not addressed, all computer users will be in a vicious cycle forever.

I'm waiting for the day when those codes on the dashboard radios no longer have any effect on thieves. Maybe then someone will ask themselves where this ends.

Savanna.gnu.org compromised too

Posted Dec 4, 2003 19:57 UTC (Thu) by RobSeace (subscriber, #4435) [Link]

And, how exactly do you propose to address these causes?? I personally
don't know of any magic method of transforming everyone on the planet into
an ethical and law-abiding person... I quite suspect that for as long as
the human species exists, there will be some of us who break the law, and/or
do bad things... (And, let's be clear: the law is not always in line with
what's right, either...) I just don't see that it's possible at all to
ever do anything to change that basic fact of our nature... Short of
maybe some intensive genetic-engineering to breed out our bad sides, but
that will lead to a race of soulless zombies, like in every dystopian
sci-fi movie ever made... ;-)

So, I think we're better off addressing an issue which we actually have a
hope of doing something about: protecting ourselves from those people who
would choose to try to do us harm... Sure, it's a never-ending battle, and
there is a constant escalation on both sides... But, really, what else IS
there to do??