Kids, Computers, and the Law
 

I heard this story on NPR yesterday. Basicly these kids are facing criminal charges for altering their school provided computers to do such things as get around filters and install chat programs.

Perhaps this is why I'm not a parent, but if I had a kid that successfully hacked his or her computer, I'd be proud of them.

I also have to reflect a bit on this story to wonder if the same fate could fall on public workers, who - god forbid - might use their work PCs for non-work approved activities.

Again, I'm just fascinated by this blurring of public and private lives - not sure where the answer lies, but I applaud the kids in the story for learning how to better use the tools they were given.

Perhaps that should give them a clue that they need to tighten the security up a bit then.

Heehee! Here's another adult-but-not-yet-a-parent who wants to applaud these kids for their ingenuity.

Besides, where else are they going to learn how to do this type of thing at work? :p

I read that story on slashdot a few days ago, and it seems in the story that was posted there, some of the kids wanted to refuse the computers because they knew it would be tempting to hack them to get full access. The school refused to listen to them and insisted they take the computers anyway, and this is the result. For inquiring minds, slashdot posting at http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?s...id=180&tid=172

Oh, and an interesting tid bit from the slashdot post -
BwaHaHahahaha

Speaking as a parent. Kids must be taught to obey. Rules must be followed exactly. Total obedience to authority is crucial cuz the little buggers have more energy, think faster, and often outnumber us. It's a self preservation issue for us parents.

Heh. I teach my kids to question everything. Be respectful, but don't take anyone's bullsh*t at face value.

The password was taped to the back? Okay, I'd fail any student who didn't alter their computer.

Yeah, that changes everything.

Heh....its really quite easy to get around anything they put on these computers. I do it all the time. All they do is block the chat client ports, so I just change them to use port 80 and everything is OK. As for the filters, I just use a proxy to get around them. Piece of cake.

I can even access every file on machine (most of which are normally locked) if I wanted to by running Knoppix from a Live CD. Its really quite sad.


Of course, I do this all as proof of concept. I know the computer guy pretty well at my school, and he's OK with me doing it, since he says it helps him with security anyway.