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

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Message-ID: <m37jqomz0c.fsf@merlin.emma.line.org>
From: matthias.andree at gmx.de (Matthias Andree)
Subject: Scandal: IT Security firm hires the author of Sasser worm

Feher Tamas <etomcat@...email.hu> writes:

> 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.

I don't know about the names of the company and the alleged Sasser worm
author, but local media reported (without names) the Sasser author was
hired as apprentice while awaiting his trial.

> 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.

In dubio pro reo, IOW, he isn't criminal until a pertinent conviction
with a sufficiently high sentence has become final.

Given his age, he's to be tried according to the penal code for
adolescents, which emphasizes helping people back to act lawfully.

What bothers me is that the firm who have hired him are reported to have
stated that an eventual verdict will not have an influence on the worm
author's apprenticeship, and the question of trust is also open yet.

OTOH, it usually takes individuals and companies literally ages to patch
up their systems, and it is inexcusable how many machines are _still_
infected with one old worm or another.

> Hiring him is a taboo. It is totally unacceptable to picture him as a
> modern age Robin Hood or freedom fighter.

That's not how he'll be seen. He is somebody who needs to prove himself
now. He has a 2nd chance and he can't expect mercy if he spoils it.

> 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.

Unless you can prove Securepoint has had to do with the creation or
spreading of the Sasser worm, that is utterly pointless no matter how
deep in rage you are. If you're suing for damages, YOU are carrying the
burden of proof, YOU must prove how Securepoint (or any other employer)
has helped the worm development or spreading. If you can't, the court
will reject the suit and chage the plaintiff the legal expenses.
This shouldn't be too surprising.

Sue the Sasser author instead, and don't forget to sue Microsoft who
have delivered faulty software, the antivirus manufacturers who are
still offering "warn sender" options, every lazybones who installed the
MS patch too late and every idiot mail admin who still operates a
software that sends delayed bounces rather than immediate reject in the
SMTP transaction. You'll see how many of the suits will succeed in
court. Not too many, I'd think because the proof is difficult.

> VXing must end and we must send a strong

Whatever VXing is, and...

> message to teenagers that cracking is not hacking and will
> not be tolerated.

...German jurisdiction will handle this,
independent of the public opinion (German or abroad).

-- 
Matthias Andree