I was talking with someone I know who is a real wiz with computers. He was telling me that if someone is persistent enough, they can basically break into any computer. Our service provider was recently attacked and
hackers placed programs in system which were disruptive.Their priorities were to first get server back up and running. In order to do this, they had to find and remove disruptive files hacker had placed on system. Their next step was to identify how access was gained, and close that doorway. Finally they will make a concerted effort to identify hacker. If, and when they do identify this person, they intend to prosecute them criminally, and sue them civilly for damages they caused.
Surprisingly many of Hackers are kids still in High School taking computer science classes. As an exercise, not approved by their teachers, they create viruses or hack into their friends computers just for fun, and prove that they can do it. Every once in awhile however, it backfires and they create something that doesn't work way they intended. This can quickly spread and have world-wide implications.
Other Hackers know exactly what they are doing and have a malevolent purpose. These people are sick. Their intention is to hurt others, which they do. These people should be prosecuted to full extent of law.
Hacking is something that must be stopped. eCommerce is growing everyday, and actions of these cultural misfits can cost millions in both money and lost time.
Spammers who send unsolicited ads to thousands by hour are also a major problem. While admittedly I have a high profile email address, and probably receive more than my share of spam, this can be similarly disruptive to operation of a business. There is no reason why I should have to sort through several hundred ads to find my email. This is disruption of service and spammers should be held liable.
Now there are two kinds of spam. At risk of offending someone, first is perceived spam. Some "yo-yo" either signs up for something, or requests information, and having a mental lapse, forgets they did. They then complain bitterly when they receive it.
And then there is "mental giant" that subscribes to a newsletter or ezine under one email address, which is forwarded to their main one, and forgets they did it that way. For security purposes, they have to be using mail address they subscribed under to be removed, and don't. They find it easier to simply fire off an expletive filled missive to anyone they can identify.
