Rich R <richard.reynolds1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
> Mark Kent wrote:
>
>> Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
>>> UK gov sets rules for hacker tool ban
>>>
>>> ,----[ Quote ]
>>>| A revamp of the UK's outdated computer crime laws is long overdue.
>>>| However, provisions to ban the development, ownership and distribution
>>>| of so-called "hacker tools" draw sharp criticism from industry. Critics
>>>| point out that many of these tools are used by system administrators and
>>>| security consultants quite legitimately to probe for vulnerabilities in
>>>| corporate systems.
>>> `----
>>>
>>> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/02/hacker_toll_ban_guidance/
>>>
>>> Wait until they redefine and reclassify what qualifies as 'hacker' tool
>>> (DMCA? Perl?).
>>>
>>
>> What about those tools which home users use to probe for vulnerabilities
>> in their own systems? Why should only "consultants" be allowed to use
>> such tools? Why do governments even try to understand this stuff?
>>
>> We are quite likely to end up with a situation where only the criminals
>> are able to use standard components of linux distributions on the UK.
>> Legitimate users will be prevented from securing their own systems.
>> From a government which posts the personal details of 25 million
>> child-benefit recipients, this is, at best, somewhat ironic.
>>
>
> In any case, how can you prevent the use of these tools? It's not like
> buying a weapon from a shop where you have to prove your credentials, one
> simply downloads what one wants :) Whether they are illegal or not is
> irrelevant.
You should be asking the government that, not me. I've no idea how they
would approach doing this, but then I don't think that they should try
to. HMG has done all kinds of wierd things in the past, like trying to
ban Spycatcher, for example.
The concern I have is that they will /try/ to ban these things, and
cause all kinds of problems for ordinary people in doing so.
--
| Mark Kent -- mark at ellandroad dot demon dot co dot uk |
| Cola faq: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/linux/advocacy/faq-and-primer/ |
| Cola trolls: http://colatrolls.blogspot.com/ |
| My (new) blog: http://www.thereisnomagic.org |
|
|
