Good Guys? or Bad Guys?

[Trouble]

I don't know. It's always hard to tell unless they're wearing the appropriate hats as evidence, but....
I was reading this article and it would seem that nobody's safe, no matter who you are.

http://www.csoonline.com/article/29...ked-attackers-claim-400gb-in-dumped-data.html

 

[bassfisher6522]

Damn...I'd like to get a hold of that software suite!

 

[clifford_cooley]

In my opinion this is no different than breaking and entering to gain incriminating evidence against someone. The use of any hacking software should be considered illegal unless it is used to strengthen security, such as finding holes.

 

[davehc]

For private users, such as myself, I gave up on this battle many years ago. The guys who would care to hack into private computers are rare. They are too busy on larger game.
So work on the principle that, if I put up some barriers to make life a little difficult for them, they will probably move on and try and find another sucker.

In any event, they would be very disappointed should they get on to my computer. There ain't nothing there that they cannot download, or already have.!!

But speaking of security and free antivirus programs. I do remember , I think around the time of Vista, some article about such programs actually having a couple of harmless viruses in the installation, which it miraculously found on its first run

 

[Trouble]

They are too busy on larger game.

That is probably true Dave, no doubt I have often thought likewise, as I suspect do many others.
I think, a better take away is that, during all this pursuit of the "prime targets, there are various malicious software products created that later become available (for purchase or sometimes free) to practically anyone who may want to "play" in that arena.
That's when you end up with average folks, maybe even you and me, getting hit with things like "CryptoLocker" (or one of its' other variants) and the data loss is catastrophic and recovery is either expensive or impossible.

I suppose there are some analogies that could even be made to things like
Guns in the hands of children.
OR even maybe a more over the top analogy might be

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

 

[davehc]

Last line is definitely me. lol