U.S. Computer Security Advisor Encourages Hackers

DarklordSatin writes: "According to this Associated Press article, which I was pointed to by the nice guys over at Ars Technica, Richard Clarke, Dubya's Computer Security Advisor, wants to encourage hackers to find security holes in software. Although he feels that the system only works when the hackers show 'good faith' and disclose the holes to the company before the public, he wants to start offering more legal protection to hackers and that is a very good step in the right direction." As the folks at Ars point out, though, "Naturally, Mr. Clark was using the original, more generalized, definition of "hacker", but I guess saying 'Bush Adviser Encourages Discovery of Software Bugs' just didn't have enough zing."

Left hand, meet right hand...

[FortKnox]

If only the left hand knew what the right hand was doing...

In related news

[tetrode]

The government encourages People to go to work.

break programs?

[stray]

From the article: A presidential advisor encouraged the nation's top computer security professionals and hackers Wednesday to try to break computer programs, but said they might need protection from the legal wrath of software makers.

... and there I was, thinking that most computer programs were broken to begin with. How about encouraging computer professionals to *fix* programs?

More surprising...

[Maran]

Which is more surprising: Government representative supports hackers, or Government representative uses correct meaning of "Hacker".

Maran

Ah, that explains it

[Anonymous Coward]

No wonder a Trojaned version of OpenSSH was put on OpenBSD's FTP server. They were acting on Presidential recommendation!

In Other News

[Apocalypse111]

A top Bush-administration official, in a tie in with Richard Clarke's press release on hackers today gave his support to the Cult of the Dead Cow, a hacker group responsible for creating the juvenile-hacking utility known as "Back Orifice" or simply B.O. Whether this official's support is a tie in with the Bush administration's fundamentalist leanings is unknown. CotDC representatives were quoted as saying, "5w33t! 7h1s r0x0rs! w3 w1ll 0wnz j00 4ll n0w! ph34r u5!" President Bush was unavailable for comment.

Re:Left hand, meet right hand...

[ceejayoz]

You don't want to know what the right hand is doing... ;-)

I am starting a new company

[g1zmo]

I'll name it the Patriotic Millenium Computer Homeland Security Group. Anyone who wants to apply for a job please email me. Requirements are low, and I can't really pay you anything, but at least you'll be a Computer Security Professional.

Look for me on NASDAQ soon!

Nobody expects the copyright inquisition!

[willpost]

Ximinez: Now, old woman -- you are accused of heresy on three counts -- heresy by DMCA, heresy by RIAA, heresy by MPAA, and heresy by HP -- *four* counts. Do you confess?
Wilde: I don't understand what I'm accused of.
Ximinez: Ha! Then we'll make you understand! Biggles! Fetch...THE CUSHIONS!