FC: Feds target Oklahoma good samaritan who noted web security hole

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

*********

Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 14:51:20 -0700
From: Todd Jonz <todd () tj org>
To: declan () well com
Subject: Do a good deed, go to jail


Declan,

Just in case you haven't seen it yet, there's a truly frightening
story at:

        http://www.linuxfreak.org/post.php/08/17/2001/134.html

about an Oklahoma man who accidentally discovered that his local
newpaper's web server permitted anyone at all to edit its content
using the Front Page client without authentication.  Like any good
samaritan might, he alerted the newspaper's editor of the problem.
Now, sixteen months later and under threat of prosecution, the U.S.
Attorney's office is attempting to coerce him to accept a plea to
a felony conviction and five years probation.  In addition to the
story above see:

        http://www.bkw.org/pdf/

for several collateral documents, including correspondence from DOJ
and a detailed description of how this ridiculous travesty unfolded.


--
Todd Jonz                               When cryptography is outlawed,
todd () tj org                          bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.




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