full-disclosure - Scandal: IT Security firm hires the author of Sasser worm

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From: abaker at gmail.com (ASB)
Subject: Scandal: IT Security firm hires the author of Sasser worm

I'd say, if you're going to lose your ethics over this issue, and
you're based in the US, that you'd need to do it before all the
anti-terrorist laws get hot and heavy, or your plan won't work.

Personally, there are plenty of areas in life where this type of
unfair behavior exists.  I try not to plan my own activities around
the apparently inadequately punished misdeeds of others.

A - I don't think it's a big deal that the kid was hired
B - I don't think that this is the best way for security firms to recruit
C - I don't think that it's the best approach to get yourself hired

-ASB

On Mon, 20 Sep 2004 07:10:39 -0700, Nick Jacobsen <nick@...icsdesign.com> wrote:
> Does it not strike anyone that there is a disturbing trend in malicious hackers (yes, yes, I know, they are not hackers if they are malicious, so call em whatever you want) getting hired to security firms, mainly because the "hacker" gets media attention?  It is honestly like we are declaring to the world that the best way to get a good paying job in the computer security field is to perform some major attack - and get caught for it - and then after serving a short sentace, start applying for jobs.  I know lots of young people, myself included, that could make headlines by performing some act or another of a sensational nature, and all that stops us is our own sense of ethics - but those ethics get harder and harder to hold as we earn a pittance doing your standard boring days work, while some other guy is out there essentially (in my mind) having fun doing some detrimental to society, and then getting hired at a substantial salary, as a reward.
> This may sound like a rant, and it probably is, but that makes my point no less accurate.
> Responses anyone?
> 
> Nick Jacobsen
> nick@...icsdesign.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
>        -----Original Message-----
>        From: full-disclosure-admin@...ts.netsys.com on behalf of bb
>        Sent: Mon 9/20/2004 3:32 AM
>        To: Feher Tamas; full-disclosure@...ts.netsys.com
>        Cc:
>        Subject: Re: [Full-Disclosure] Scandal: IT Security firm hires the author of Sasser worm
> 
>        If he has fulfilled all the obligation of his sentence, whats wrong with him
>        being allowed to seek gainful employment that plays to his skills?
> 
>        Second chance anyone? Being allowed to learn from his mistakes?
> 
>        ----- Original Message -----
>        From: "Feher Tamas" <etomcat@...email.hu>
>        To: <full-disclosure@...ts.netsys.com>
>        Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 10:21 AM
>        Subject: [Full-Disclosure] Scandal: IT Security firm hires the author of
>        Sasser worm
> 
>        > Hello,
>        >
>        > The german IT security company "Securepoint" has hired Sven
>        > Jaschan, who wrote and spread the Sasser Internet worm,
>        > which caused widespread and costly damages to legions of
>        > Windows computers.
>        >
>        > He will work as a developer for security softwares such as
>        > firewalls.
>        >
>        > This is a scandal! Whether or not you like the 250k USD
>        > head-hunting bounty which Microsoft Corp. paid to have Mr.
>        > Jaschan nailed, he is still a criminal.  Hiring him is a
>        > taboo. It is totally unacceptable to picture him as a modern
>        > age Robin Hood or freedom fighter. He is a criminal, similar
>        > to an arsonist, who sets a house alight and the fire spreads
>        > to an entire city.
>        >
>        > I urge all to boycott the Securepoint and I urge those who
>        > suffered losses due to the Sasser worm to sue Securepoint
>        > and seek damages. VXing must end and we must send a strong
>        > message to teenagers that cracking is not hacking and will
>        > not be tolerated.
>        >
>        > Securepoint website:
>        > http://www.securepoint.cc/
>        >
>        > Info about Sven Jaschan's hiring:
>        > http://www.f-secure.com/weblog#00000296
>        >
>        > Sincerely: Tamas Feher from Hungary.