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Regarding Marcus Hutchins aka MalwareTech

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Re: Regarding Marcus Hutchins aka MalwareTech

#3

Post by afarrell »

It seems to me that the broader issue is one where HN readers individually writing their senators would have an impact for the time invested.

1) Legislators do not have the time to come to this situation with insight into how the cybersecurity community works. There are simply too many fields of human endeavour and people have to specialize to get things done.

2) This is not an issue like Abortion or the 2nd amendment. Senators can and do change their minds based on input from experts. See Sen. Lindsey Graham's approach to encryption[1]

3) Harm to the US ability to collaborate with its allies is a thing that senators will care about, especially hawks. Right now, they likely have two threats top-of-mind: ISIS and the Iran-Russia-Assad alliance.

Re: Regarding Marcus Hutchins aka MalwareTech

#7

Post by ubernostrum »

afarrell wrote: post #3

It seems to me that the broader issue is one where HN readers individually writing their senators would have an impact for the time invested. 1) Legislators do not have the time to come to this situation with insight into how the cybersecurity community works. There are simply too many fields of human endeavour and people have to specialize to get things done. 2) This is not an issue like Abortion or the 2nd amendmen…

What exactly do you want members of the US Congress to do? Pass a bill declaring him innocent?

The quick change in tone in the post is telling, by the way -- it goes from being skeptical that he was involved in a crime at all, to quibbling that not much money was stolen anyway, and if you're going to prosecute over such a tiny thing you should do it in a different country than the one where it was stolen.

Re: Regarding Marcus Hutchins aka MalwareTech

#8

Post by snarfy »

ubernostrum wrote: post #7
afarrell wrote: post #3

It seems to me that the broader issue is one where HN readers individually writing their senators would have an impact for the time invested. 1) Legislators do not have the time to come to this situation with insight into how the cybersecurity community works. There are simply too many fields of human endeavour and people have to specialize to get things done. 2) This is not an issue like Abortion or the 2nd amendmen…

What exactly do you want members of the US Congress to do? Pass a bill declaring him innocent? The quick change in tone in the post is telling, by the way -- it goes from being skeptical that he was involved in a crime at all, to quibbling that not much money was stolen anyway, and if you're going to prosecute over such a tiny thing you should do it in a different country than the one where it was stolen.

Even if that country was North Korea and the crime was punishable by execution? 40 years in prison is extreme for $2000. They might as well execute him. And yes, I compared the US to North Korea, but when it comes to cyber security laws they really aren't that much different. The punishments are way out of proportion to the crimes. You'd be better of killing someone than hacking them.

Re: Regarding Marcus Hutchins aka MalwareTech

#9

Post by _Codemonkeyism »

snarfy wrote: post #8
ubernostrum wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What exactly do you want members of the US Congress to do? Pass a bill declaring him innocent? The quick change in tone in the post is telling, by the way -- it goes from being skeptical that he was involved in a crime at all, to quibbling that not much money was stolen anyway, and if you're going to prosecute over such a tiny thing you should do it in a different country than the one where it was stolen.

Even if that country was North Korea and the crime was punishable by execution? 40 years in prison is extreme for $2000. They might as well execute him. And yes, I compared the US to North Korea, but when it comes to cyber security laws they really aren't that much different. The punishments are way out of proportion to the crimes. You'd be better of killing someone than hacking them.

I guess he has a different opinion on "They might as well execute him." But it's nevertheless interesting how easy people are with other peoples lives.

And yes if you go to a different country, be aware of their laws.

"The punishments are way out of proportion to the crimes."

Don't go to the US.

http://kottke.org/13/06/you-commit-three-felonies-a-day

Also Dr. Ferris.

Re: Regarding Marcus Hutchins aka MalwareTech

#10

Post by awinder »

snarfy wrote: post #8
ubernostrum wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What exactly do you want members of the US Congress to do? Pass a bill declaring him innocent? The quick change in tone in the post is telling, by the way -- it goes from being skeptical that he was involved in a crime at all, to quibbling that not much money was stolen anyway, and if you're going to prosecute over such a tiny thing you should do it in a different country than the one where it was stolen.

Even if that country was North Korea and the crime was punishable by execution? 40 years in prison is extreme for $2000. They might as well execute him. And yes, I compared the US to North Korea, but when it comes to cyber security laws they really aren't that much different. The punishments are way out of proportion to the crimes. You'd be better of killing someone than hacking them.

He’s going to go through a trial by his peers, he’s not likely going to receive the max sentence, and even then he likely wouldn’t serve the max sentence for a nonviolent crime (he’d be paroled).

Compare that to being convicted without a fair trial, being sent to a labor camp, and running the risk of being sent home in a body bag.

I understand hyperbole but let’s not kid ourselves, NK is one of the worst places in the world to draw government ire.

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