Monday, May 28, 2007
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
Sort by: Oldest first | Newest First
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
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
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
You must be a registered user of MaineToday.com to post a comment. Register or log in.