Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Hacker's code of etiquette can be tough to decipher

Nov 30, 2003 2:53AM PST

Rules of courtesy differ in the world of computer geeks

It wasn't Mary Ann Davidson's worst nightmare, but it was close. A fax from a hacker in the Middle East landed on her desk at Oracle Corp., proclaiming the discovery of a hole in the company's database software through which he could steal crucial information from such customers as Boeing Co., Ford Motor Co., and the CIA. The fax warned Davidson, the company's chief security officer, to contact the hacker immediately -- or else.

Luckily, the hacker hadn't found a real hole; he'd just misinterpreted a function of the program. More surprisingly, he meant no harm.

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2003/11/30/hackers_code_of_etiquette_can_be_tough_to_decipher/

Discussion is locked