Ethical hacker faces war driving charges. Houston, we have a problem [The Register]

Stefan Puffer is accused of breaking into the Harris county District clerk's WAN and causing $5000 worth of damage.

Puffer, who was employed briefly by the county's technology department in 1999, could get five years in jail and faces a $250,000 fine on each count if convicted, the Houston Chronicle reports.

So now he's facing 5 years in jail and up to a $250,000 fine if convicted. This is akin to driving by a store, seeing that the door is open, poking your head in and shouting to see if anyone is around, then getting busted for breaking and entering. It's insane, and I hope that he is cleared of all charges.

It would be nice to see network owners treat their systems like their physical space, checking the locks from time to time, and keeping an eye out for open widows and doors. Better yet, employing contracted tiger teams that try to break into the systems. I know that this is being done now in some areas, but ti would be good to see this become ubiquitous.

10:14:02 AM