full-disclosure - Re: WTF eEye Really?

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Message-ID: <x2nf37852831005040848sc7f31545ja373c05f43270593@mail.gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 08:48:14 -0700
From: Mike Hale <eyeronic.design@...il.com>
To: Sec News <secnewz@...il.com>
Cc: full-disclosure@...ts.grok.org.uk
Subject: Re: WTF eEye Really?

Looks like he rewrote it and clarified what he meant to say.

I think this is a lesson on why you really should proofread stuff and
ask someone else to go over your writings before you publish
something.

On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 5:44 PM, Sec News <secnewz@...il.com> wrote:
> Did anyone else see this?
>
> http://blog.eeye.com/vulnerability-management/penetration-tools-can-be-weapons-in-the-wrong-hands
> """
> Penetration Tools Can Be Weapons in the Wrong Hands
> Author: Morey Haber Date: May 3rd, 2010 Categories: Network Security,
> Vulnerability Management
>
> After a lifetime in the vulnerability assessment field, I’ve come to look at
> penetration testing almost as a kind of crime, or at least a misdemeanor.
>
> We enjoy freedom of speech, even if it breaks the law or license agreements.
> Websites cover techniques for jailbreaking iPhones even though it clearly
> violates the EULA for Apples devices. Penetration tools clearly allow the
> breaking and entering of systems to prove that vulnerabilities are real, but
> clearly could be used maliciously to break the law.
>
> Making these tools readily available is like encouraging people to play with
> fireworks. Too bold of a statement? I think not. Fireworks can make a
> spectacular show, but they can also be abused and cause serious damage. In
> most states, only people licensed and trained are permitted to set off
> fireworks.
>
> Now consider a pen test tool. In its open form, on the Internet, everyone
> and anyone can use it to test their systems, but in the wrong hands, for
> free, it can be used to break into systems and cause disruption, steal
> information, or cause even more permanent types of harm.
>
> How many people remember the 80’s TV show Max Headroom? Next to murder, the
> most severe crime was if users illegally used information technology systems
> to steal information or make money. There was tons of security around these
> systems and even possession of tools to penetrate a system was a crime too.
> So what’s the difference?
>
> Yes, it is just a TV show but in reality today we are in effect putting
> weapons in people’s hands, not tracking them, and allowing them to use them
> near anonymously to perform crimes or learn how to perform more
> sophisticated attacks. It all comes back to the first amendment and Freedom
> of Speech. I can write a blog of this nature, state my opinion about how I
> feel about free penetration testing tools, and assure everyone that they
> need defenses to protect their systems, since free weapons are available
> that can break into your systems – easily.
> """
> WOW - am i the only one to go WTF to this?  Talk about alienating your
> customers and shitting where you eat.
> And to think i used to be a fan...
> - Some anonymous ex-eEye fan
> _______________________________________________
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