NationStates Jolt Archive


Hideously Cruel Prank or Crime?

Anti-Social Darwinism
08-05-2008, 15:22
In my opinion, this is assault and should be punished with time in prison - a long time in prison. When they finally do get out, they should never again be allowed anywhere near a computer.

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/tech-news/_a/epilepsy-site-posts-trigger-migraines/20080507213509990001
Exetoniarpaccount
08-05-2008, 15:28
In my opinion, this is assault and should be punished with time in prison - a long time in prison. When they finally do get out, they should never again be allowed anywhere near a computer.

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/tech-news/_a/epilepsy-site-posts-trigger-migraines/20080507213509990001

That certainly is a crime un to itself.. hacking is a crime any way (or rather cracking as hacking is not nessicarily illegal but cracking is )

Then to use such images on sites designed to help sufferers of Eplilepsy, surely the 'hackers' knew what these images would do thus, you have intent.. And finally with people being hurt, you have victims... Assult via the internet... damn.
UpwardThrust
08-05-2008, 15:30
In my opinion, this is assault and should be punished with time in prison - a long time in prison. When they finally do get out, they should never again be allowed anywhere near a computer.

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/tech-news/_a/epilepsy-site-posts-trigger-migraines/20080507213509990001
I thought this was brought up before ... maybe not though

This is knowingly using a tool (the internet) to inflict phisical pain and put these people at risk

I agree that this should be counted as assult
Laerod
08-05-2008, 15:32
Crime.
Call to power
08-05-2008, 15:33
this news is so old its colostomy bag needs changing...

also its some kids messing about being kids for goodness sake keep your top off
Laerod
08-05-2008, 15:35
this news is so old its colostomy bag needs changing...

also its some kids messing about being kids for goodness sake keep your top onHey, if a kid thinks its funny to go around smashing people's kneecaps with a baseball bat for the sake of being a kid, by all means he should never be allowed to touch a baseball bat again.
Void Templar
08-05-2008, 15:35
That's just evil. Hacking and doing so with intent to cause an epileptic fit? Certainly a crime.
Exetoniarpaccount
08-05-2008, 15:35
this news is so old its colostomy bag needs changing...

also its some kids messing about being kids for goodness sake keep your top on

Last time I checked.. kids messing around being kids and hurting people was considered at best a nuisance and at worst a crime!
UpwardThrust
08-05-2008, 15:36
this news is so old its colostomy bag needs changing...

also its some kids messing about being kids for goodness sake keep your top on

Kids messing around being kids is them painting or breaking something or causing a ruckus in a local shopping mall or something

It is not just "being kids" when they purposfully inject images designed to hurt an unknown ammount of people into a board for a medical condition. This is not simply a youthfull prank
Nerotika
08-05-2008, 15:36
thats just strait up wronge...doing it randomly is one thing but knowing full well what it could do is assault.
Ifreann
08-05-2008, 15:39
"In a similar attack this year, a piece of malicious code was released that disabled software that reads text aloud from a computer screen for blind and visually impaired people. That attack appeared to have been designed to cripple the computers of people using illegal copies of the software, researchers said."

Interesting........
Call to power
08-05-2008, 15:42
Hey, if a kid thinks its funny to go around smashing people's kneecaps with a baseball bat for the sake of being a kid, by all means he should never be allowed to touch a baseball bat again.

(you missed the part where its the internet so you don't see results and such)

no, he should get help...no wait lets lock everyone up who has ever done a stupid thing!

Last time I checked.. kids messing around being kids and hurting people was considered at best a nuisance and at worst a crime!

a crime that gets like community service or something not a prison sentence as suggested by OP

This is not simply a youthfull prank

why not?
Nerotika
08-05-2008, 15:43
"In a similar attack this year, a piece of malicious code was released that disabled software that reads text aloud from a computer screen for blind and visually impaired people. That attack appeared to have been designed to cripple the computers of people using illegal copies of the software, researchers said."

Interesting........

maybe its like the music people who complain about file sharing....you know "YOU CAN'T HAVE OUR SHIT FOR FREE!!."
Tappee
08-05-2008, 15:43
It is a crime, it was intended to cause harm. whoever did should face some sort of criminal charge
Kryozerkia
08-05-2008, 15:43
I'd say prank, given that not everyone who visits these sites would necessarily suffer from that condition. Further, it primarily focuses on photosensitive epileptics, not all. It's a malicious prank, yes, but if no harmful material forced its way onto the user's computer and if there was no profit made...

Plus, it's a forum and people are trusting links on a forum to provide accurate information? Sure it's on a specific subject, but is that stopping people from being dickholes? I mean, we have rules here but it doesn't deter the trolls.

It's good that the site is now being heavily moderated. Now no one can cry foul.
Ifreann
08-05-2008, 15:45
maybe its like the music people who complain about file sharing....you know "YOU CAN'T HAVE OUR SHIT FOR FREE!!."
Indeed.
It is a crime, it was intended to cause harm. whoever did should face some sort of criminal charge
What law was broken?
greed and death
08-05-2008, 15:45
I don't feel prison time is warranted.
However, a severe fine and probation where they can not use a computer or touch tone phone would be great. Article was horrible though little if any hacking is for money, most hacking is for lolz.
Laerod
08-05-2008, 15:46
(you missed the part where its the internet so you don't see results and such)

no, he should get help...no wait lets lock everyone up who has ever done a stupid thing!Oh, gosh, it's only epileptics. It's not like they're human or feel pain... :rolleyes:
greed and death
08-05-2008, 15:46
Indeed.

What law was broken?

reckless endangerment
Blouman Empire
08-05-2008, 15:47
thats right its only a harmless prank designed to bring pain and suffering onto people. I remember when I was young I once posioned the towns water supply and made alot of people bend over in pain, it was only to have a laugh.
UpwardThrust
08-05-2008, 15:52
(you missed the part where its the internet so you don't see results and such)

You dont have to see the results to commit a crime ... I disable the breaks on someones car and they get hurt I should expect it to be just as hefty a crime as if I watched
why not?[/QUOTE]

Stupid decision or not premeditativly coordinating to cause pain goes beyond just a youthfull stupid idea ... youth is not an excuse for this nor should it be.
Call to power
08-05-2008, 16:07
Oh, gosh, it's only epileptics. It's not like they're human or feel pain... :rolleyes:

wow thats an argument thats worth my time:rolleyes:

expect it to be just as hefty a crime as if I watched

no because now it implies pleasure in watching someone die rather than a random internet post

Stupid decision or not premeditativly coordinating to cause pain goes beyond just a youthfull stupid idea ... youth is not an excuse for this nor should it be.

since when has the Internet coordinated anything? do you think this was some sort of organized crime ring that used the sites downtime to smuggle across the border?
Exetoniarpaccount
08-05-2008, 16:27
since when has the Internet coordinated anything? do you think this was some sort of organized crime ring that used the sites downtime to smuggle across the border?

More often than not, a massive strike like this has been co-ordinated either online or offline. You really think its coincidence these 'youths' just all happened to attack the same types of boards at the same time?
Intestinal fluids
08-05-2008, 16:32
I fid it funny in the same way i find dead baby jokes to be funny. Sick but still funny.
Call to power
08-05-2008, 16:40
More often than not, a massive strike like this has been co-ordinated either online or offline.

proof? look this is how easy it is

MSN:
15 year old communist: hai guyz I jus sent a flashy link on an epilespsy site LOL1

14 year old Libertarian: No wai!! send thel ink so I can too LMFAO!!1

...

15 year old communist: so you coming round tonight? ; )

14 year old Libertarian: kk but mom says I need to put some cream on my nipplz this tiem *< : )

15 year old communist: oh you will need moar than jus ypour nipples
The blessed Chris
08-05-2008, 16:47
Bloody funny, and nothing more. Amusing in a perverse way, but still entertaining. Like hacking dyslexic associations and altering the spelling of words or somesuch.
Levee en masse
08-05-2008, 16:59
Like hacking dyslexic associations and altering the spelling of words or somesuch.

Do misspellings cause migraines and seizures in dyslexics.

No...

Then it isn't really comparable. :)
UpwardThrust
08-05-2008, 17:12
proof? look this is how easy it is

MSN:
15 year old communist: hai guyz I jus sent a flashy link on an epilespsy site LOL1

14 year old Libertarian: No wai!! send thel ink so I can too LMFAO!!1

...

15 year old communist: so you coming round tonight? ; )

14 year old Libertarian: kk but mom says I need to put some cream on my nipplz this tiem *< : )

15 year old communist: oh you will need moar than jus ypour nipples
and all managed to stumble across the same exploit to the boards ... yeah right
Exetoniarpaccount
08-05-2008, 17:15
proof? look this is how easy it is

MSN:
15 year old communist: hai guyz I jus sent a flashy link on an epilespsy site LOL1

14 year old Libertarian: No wai!! send thel ink so I can too LMFAO!!1

...

15 year old communist: so you coming round tonight? ; )

14 year old Libertarian: kk but mom says I need to put some cream on my nipplz this tiem *< : )

15 year old communist: oh you will need moar than jus ypour nipples

Care to answer the whole post next time and not pick and chose when both parts equate to the same thing.. You missed my point entirely didn't you.

The fact that hacks like this happen en masse is prof enough they are organised.
Vetalia
08-05-2008, 17:16
I'm all for a good troll, but I prefer to avoid actually endangering people, not the least because it can lead to prison and subsequent rape. Just stick to Aspies for Freedom and Furcadia and we should be alright.
Ecosoc
08-05-2008, 17:18
It's a bit extreme to press criminal charges. People are douchebags, you can't just throw every douchebag in prison.
UpwardThrust
08-05-2008, 17:22
It's a bit extreme to press criminal charges. People are douchebags, you can't just throw every douchebag in prison.

When you knowingly and premeditativly endanger people then yah maybe you should.
Tapao
08-05-2008, 17:28
Hideously cruel prank that crossed the line to assault perhaps? I'm on the fence as to whether it was actually assault or not. If assault is defined as harming someone deliberately, I would say that causing a person to have an epileptic fit constitutes harm and therefore assault.
Call to power
08-05-2008, 17:51
and all managed to stumble across the same exploit to the boards ... yeah right

yes, either that or

14 year old Libertarian: yo dawg how do youi get past the filter
15 year old communist: eazy i jus [insert incredibly easy method to bypass security measure]

its easy enough especially when you get to human mob level

Care to answer the whole post next time and not pick and chose when both parts equate to the same thing.

hacks like this happen en masse is prof enough they are organised.

1) no
2) no its not hackers think alike and end up more or less clones *points at NSG for example*

Just stick to Aspies for Freedom

your playing with homeland security!?
UpwardThrust
08-05-2008, 18:14
yes, either that or

14 year old Libertarian: yo dawg how do youi get past the filter
15 year old communist: eazy i jus [insert incredibly easy method to bypass security measure]

its easy enough especially when you get to human mob level

But even a "relitivly simple" exploit will still be enough steps

Its not just a mention but an explination then and understanding then a carying through. Its way more then simply mentioning something

1) no
2) no its not hackers think alike and end up more or less clones *points at NSG for example*

NSG like hackers may have a simmilar overall mind set but processes and focuses vary so vastly that in the execution it makes a world of difference in where when and especially how it is done
G3N13
08-05-2008, 18:14
That's just evil. Hacking and doing so with intent to cause an epileptic fit? Certainly a crime.

Hacking is neutral, hacking can be good, but hacker can also be up to no good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker

And perhaps more importantly:
http://hackerslang.com/hacker.html

http://hackerslang.com/hack.html

The reason for confusion and negative connotation of 'hacker' is because mainstream media simply refuses to use the correct term (http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=computer+cracker&i=40453,00.asp).
the Great Dawn
08-05-2008, 18:15
This can be counted as physical assault (even though it's virtual, it's ment to intentionally harm certain people), thus a crime.
Trollgaard
08-05-2008, 18:31
A cruel prank.
Neo Art
08-05-2008, 18:49
A cruel prank.

and when a "cruel prank" that's intended to hurt someone, causes actual injury, we call that a crimnal act.
Everywhar
08-05-2008, 19:53
In my opinion, this is assault and should be punished with time in prison - a long time in prison. When they finally do get out, they should never again be allowed anywhere near a computer.

I thought this was the most meaningful and human things in the article. Too bad it was so close to the end and nobody made much out of it:

"I count this in the same category of teenagers who think it's funny to put a cat in a bag and throw it over a clothesline - they don't realize how cruel it is," said Paul Ferguson, a security researcher at antivirus software maker Trend Micro Inc. "It was an opportunity waiting to happen for some mean-spirited kid."

People who are this mean-spirited kind of deserve their own medicine. But instead of advocating that some people come along and beat the everloving fuck out of him (as I hate to admit I'd like), I will simply say that it would probably be more productive to have him fired from his job if he has one, have him widely-publicized in the local news and publicly humiliated, and have nobody hire him for anything until he issues a public apology and agrees to pay some kind of restitution to the community in the form of public works.

I don't think this should be judicially enforced, mind you, as a punishment for some crime (assault might be an interesting charge, or reckless, negligent assault, or whatever the hell the charge would be). Instead, I think this person should be shunned by the community and made miserable by his social condition until he redeems himself.
Skyland Mt
08-05-2008, 20:42
It's actually a number of crimes. Hacking most definatly, and surely assault as well.

Wasn't it members of Anonymous who are believed to have perpetrated this attack? I remember hearing some speculation that Scientology actually did it to discredit them as part of their little "war."
The blessed Chris
08-05-2008, 20:45
and when a "cruel prank" that's intended to hurt someone, causes actual injury, we call that a crimnal act.

And after all, if we don't crouch behind the strict definition of every law and impose it unswervingly, anarchy will prevail no?
Everywhar
08-05-2008, 20:59
It's actually a number of crimes. Hacking most definatly, and surely assault as well.

It's cracking, dammit all.
Neo Art
08-05-2008, 21:02
And after all, if we don't crouch behind the strict definition of every law and impose it unswervingly, anarchy will prevail no?

actually, yes.
Gauthier
08-05-2008, 21:08
Hmm. Surprised nobody's mentioned that theory going about that this hack was commissioned by the Church of $cientology in order to "discredit" Anonymous.
UpwardThrust
08-05-2008, 21:16
Hmm. Surprised nobody's mentioned that theory going about that this hack was commissioned by the Church of $cientology in order to "discredit" Anonymous.

Post 41
Croatoan Green
08-05-2008, 21:31
This is, most definitively, a crime. Most obviously the charge of Malicious Mischief, Cracking, Criminal Negligence, Reckless Endangerment, and Psychological Assault.