Please send us your comments and questions!
1. Should Netscape have advertised the release of Navigator 1.2 as a "secure" way to make financial transactions?
2. Do you think financial transactions on the World Wide Web should be halted until a "foolproof" method of doing so is devised? And what would constitute "foolproof"?
3. Some crackers say they break into computer systems only to demonstrate the flaws in them, and then make companies aware of such inconsistencies. Do you think this is a valid excuse for cracking? Why or why not?
4. Famous cracker Kevin Mitnick was forced to take a twelve-step program to rid him of his "computer addiction" following a year in prison for stealing proprietary computer code. Do you think this would be a good response to cracking? (Note: Mitnick began cracking again soon thereafter.)
5. How far should the government intervene in the quest to prevent malicious cracking? Do you think current federal cracking laws are sufficient for handling Internet security and crackers? If no, what type of legislation would you suggest?
6. From what you have read, do crackers need more severe punishments? In what situation could you visualize a cracker "getting the chair"?
7. What might be some negative effects from the overcriminalization of cracking?
8. How many crackers did you know about before reading this website? Do you think those crackers on this website got fair punishments for their crimes?