Re: OT: An odd question that has arrisen within my household

[Robert W Vawter III <bob () vawter org>]

On Sun, 2003-10-12 at 22:40, Matt Carlson wrote:
> 1. What exactly defines a "script kiddie"?

See ESR's jargon file:

http://catb.org/~esr/jargon/html/S/script-kiddies.html

> 2. Does using a port scanner make you a "script kiddie" since you 
> yourself did not write the code?
>
> 3. Does it make you a script kiddie because it is a means of exploitation?

Port-scanners are like "slim-jims" or other lock-picking tools. It
depends upon the person using them, and to what gain the tools are being
used for.

For security-minded folks (white hats), a port-scanner is a quick way to
see what's open and compare it to what should be open. For the black
hats, a port-scanner is a quick way to see what's open for potential
attack.

I can walk the perimeter of my house, and see if all the windows are
shut. This is an acceptable thing to do. I can walk around your house,
and see if all of the windows are shut. If I'm admiring your window
treatments, it's ok. If I'm going to break into your house and steal
your cats, it's not.

The scanners simply give the user information; the information itself is
a fairly neutral thing. It's all about intent.

Also, bear in mind that a port scan is not in and of itself an attack,
but is usually a precedes an attack. The scanners are not designed to
cause damage, as compared to the kiddies "toyz".

Follow-up question:
Knoppix ( http://knopper.net/knoppix/ ), a bootable CD containing a live
Linux system, contains Nessus( http://www.nessus.org/ ), a security
analysis tool. Is the possession of a Knoppix CD at someone else's place
of business useful, or dangerous? Is the "utility versus potential
danger" of such tools relevant to this discussion?

-- 
Robert W Vawter III       |                ASCII Ribbon Campaign  /"\
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