Morning Sentinel
Hacker is example of corporate hypocrisy
Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Monday, May 28, 2007

Just so you know who the real thieves in this country are, please allow me to share an observation about a story the Morning Sentinel ran on page C7, May 24: "Former hacker now helps firms."

Kevin Mitnick, sentenced to two years for computer hacking, is now working for American corporations. When Mitnick was caught stealing from corporations, he was imprisoned.

Now that he is stealing for corporations he is rewarded, and, most probably, very well.

Make no mistake about it, hacking (the illegal taking of information through the computer) is as much a crime as burglary. If it wasn't, Mitnick would not have gone to jail.

The lesson learned from this story: Corporations have no problem with stealing, as long as the stealing isn't from them. Over the years, those same corporations have manipulated the law in their own favor.

To all you students in ethics class, please work this example of moral hypocrisy into your next discussion before you graduate and go on to work in the corporate world with your master of business administration (MBA).

Peter P. Sirois

Madison


Reader comments

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scott of Augusta, ME
May 29, 2007 5:41 PM
"Now that he is stealing for corporations he is rewarded..."

Possibly...if that was actually what he's paid to do.

Hacking is NOT the illegal taking of information through a computer. It is merely gaining access to a computer illegally. (note: this is merriam webster's definition, not mine) If corporations are to effectively protect themselves against outside attackers who WOULD do them harm, who better to test their security than someone who knows what they know, thinks as they do?

There is zero moral issue or hypocrisy here. Someone who has particular skills has found a way to use them within the confines of the law. Just because you, Mr. Sirois, don't fully appreciate or understand what he's doing doesn't make it wrong.report abuse
Nosaj of Albion, ME
May 28, 2007 11:01 AM
Why wouldn't the corporations want to know how he did it and how they could prevent it? Do you have any proof that they are using him to steal? If not this is just another fact less editorial, one of about 10 every week, printed in our great newspaper. I have seen tv shows on the FBI hiring a bank robber, after he served his time, to show them how he did it and investigate future robberies.
Everyone has a right to an opinion or conspiracy, but to print them I wish the editors would make sure they are at least fact based.report abuse
Bjorn of Waterville, ME
May 28, 2007 10:56 AM
"Now that he is stealing for corporations he is rewarded,"

I do not see how working as a computer security consultant is "stealing for coporations." Who better to advise entities on network security than someone adept at thwarting it?report abuse

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