Ethics Question

Ah. Ok. So is it ok to hack a malicious hacker to get him/her to stop hacking people? I'd still say yes.

In this case, you become nothing more than what he or she is: a hacker with malicious intent (as per www.dictionary.com, malicious is defined as deliberately harmful). While your cause is good, it is still a malicious in nature. I think it was Negative that put forth suggestions on how to deal with this.

Although our normal reaction to things "bad" is to fight them, we have to step back sometimes and let those in "authority" know about what's going on. Probably the best example of this kind of activity is Cliff Stoll's "The Cuckoo's Egg", where he tracked a hacker for well over a year. He could have at any time taken retaliatory measures even when the "authorities" refused to accept that this hacker was an issue but he didn't. He continued his compliation of information.

I suspect that the actual act of compiling of the activities of the hacker is the best thing you can do against the hacker. One of the hardest things for most authority types is to get proof of hacking activities.

Anyways, that's my thoughts (again!) =)

Quote:

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Originally posted by MsMittens
Ah. Ok. So is it ok to hack a malicious hacker to get him/her to stop hacking people? I'd still say yes.

In this case, you become nothing more than what he or she is: a hacker with malicious intent (as per www.dictionary.com, malicious is defined as deliberately harmful). While your cause is good, it is still a malicious in nature. I think it was Negative that put forth suggestions on how to deal with this.

Although our normal reaction to things "bad" is to fight them, we have to step back sometimes and let those in "authority" know about what's going on. Probably the best example of this kind of activity is Cliff Stoll's "The Cuckoo's Egg", where he tracked a hacker for well over a year. He could have at any time taken retaliatory measures even when the "authorities" refused to accept that this hacker was an issue but he didn't. He continued his compliation of information.

I suspect that the actual act of compiling of the activities of the hacker is the best thing you can do against the hacker. One of the hardest things for most authority types is to get proof of hacking activities.

Anyways, that's my thoughts (again!) =)

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You seem to be on the far conservative side of the issue. Just out of curiosity, would you feel it ethical if it was in self-defense from a malicious hacker who was targeting you? I'm not trying to slam your opinion. You just have my interest.

Actually, I have been in that situation. And the answer was still no, even tho' I was frustrated and pissed off. I was tempted but I did spend the time collecting info and sent it to my ISP.

The "hacker" never returned.

[COLOR=firebrick][FONT=arial]I as well have the problems with the same company as stflook does...I was just wondering what the sites of these agencies are, and how I can report them. I HATE CHARTER!:fart:

You might want to try to complain to either the BBB (Better Business Bureau) or your state attorney. If they haven't been living up to their agreements as advertised then there may be a case for fraud or false claim (I think that's what its called).

If enough people have complained, then probably a class action suit could be brought against the ISP.

I know there have been many complaints before me, and if this keeps up, a class action lawsuit isn't far behind.

Greetings STF: Unless you are running a very good "Anonymous", connection, I would recommend reporting the situation to your current ISP. It would be a shame to lose your Internet Provider due to a "Script Kiddie". I say report this activity in the form of a certified letter, with a copy to the your local offices of the FCC. Correspondance created on official letterhead, IE: An Attourney,(Hate em all, lol) should motivate them to do something. The BBB, is unfortunatly only a Watch-Dog group, not a Government agency. (No Power.)


Good Luck P:

If they were L33t, You would never realize it was happening.

Hmmm interesting subject. In my opinion and experiance retalition can result in a horde of script kiddie attacks, forming a vicious circle you see.

You get lets say a trojan on your Windows box and well you have a fair idea who this guy is from your firewall information etc. etc. Anyway lets say you try get revenge and somehow you do it is only going to escalate to a childish war that will eventually involve virus attacks even.

I know its jumpin the gun but you cant be too sure who you are messing with so my advice is to secure your system and let the kids try hack you and move on. Think about how many small scale attacks you get in a month while on the internet, you'd need an army to nbeat these script kiddies!