>From another list -- Written in a low key style, but perhaps
not low key encough. It might be fun to add specific examples
and TCPdump traces of a box 'phoning home' , and gin it up
into a web page ... With a little rework, it would also make a
nice handout as a 'takeaway' at a trade show ...
-- Russ
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 26 May 2001 07:45:35 -0500
From: Joe Waliga <waligaman@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mdlug@collie.net
To: Multiple recipients of list MDLUG <mdlug@collie.net>
Subject: [MDLUG] Re: Are you viewed as a computer criminal?
This message was also intended and sent to people other than Linux
people. Please excuse the obvious.
Joe Waliga wrote:
>
> Hello fellow computer users,
>
> I have been hearing a lot about viruses lately. From what I hear, most
> people would think these computer viruses are written by malicious
> hackers. And most people would call these hackers criminals because
> these viruses destroy computer systems? But did you ever wonder if you,
> a "good" person, were also committing a crime just by using your
> computer in a "good" way?
>
> Most people run Windows. If you buy your PC at a store, it probably
> comes installed with Windows. So it is probably legal. But if you build
> your own PC or you want to upgrade your Windows system, do you actually
> purchase or through appropriate channels aquire the right to use the
> software on your computer? According to the industry and laws of our
> country, if you use software you do not have a license for, you are
> committing a criminal act and are subject to actions to remedy the
> situation by law enforcement agencies.
>
> If you think that the law can't reach you, think again. If you have a
> Windows PC and you are on the internet, law agencies are scanning the
> net and are taking notes from your PC through spy and drone programs
> that quietly reside in your system. They give marketting and licensing
> information about your PC to law enforcement agencies and software
> companies. Some of these programs come straight from Microsoft and are
> built into the system. Others are quietly installed when you upgrade or
> install other programs. And did you ever think that maybe some of these
> scanner programs are actually "virus" type programs that don't destroy
> your hard drive, but they are installed in a similar manner and actually
> send your e-mail address book, not to a "hacker", but to Microsoft? And
> maybe some beta versions of these spy programs blow up and actually
> destroy hard drives, but the industry you trust calls them viruses and
> goes and blames some poor programer smuck who can't afford a good lawyer
> as a virus hacker? Maybe the programmer who wrote the spy program in the
> first place? How do you really know the truth? That is another story.
>
> The industry is saying, if you can't afford to buy it, then you can't
> afford to have it. But that doesn't mean you have to go without. Linux
> is freeware operating system available to the general public that
> requires much lower cost of use. And in my humble opinion, is much more
> reliable than Windows. Also, 95% of software with a Linux distribution
> is free and most CD's of Linux distributions are legal to copy as many
> times as you want. The only costs of entry of a linux system is most
> likely a $35 dollar distribution CD from your favorite publicly traded
> or private linux company and a little patience.
>
> So if you are not legal with your software, be prepared to have your
> business or personal life shutdown. From what I hear in the industry
> channels, the grim reaper will catch up with people who are not legal
> with their computers. What goes around, comes around. And you can't
> expect the law to go after virus writing hackers and not go after you if
> you are also committing a crime.
>
> Think about it.
>
> For more information on Linux - goto http://www.linux.com
>
> For more information on software legalities - goto
> http://www.bsa.org/usa/antipiracy/
>
> --
> ================================================================================
> |
> Joe Waliga |
> waligaman@yahoo.com | When the rich
> | get richer ...
> "Waligaman" on AOL Instant Messenger |
> and Yahoo! Messenger | the poor get
> | creative.
> ICQ - 94131336 |
> |
>
> |
> ================================================================================
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