Worm: A comment and a prediction

[Wilson Heydt]

I've been reading the discussion about the Internet worm with interest.
The discussion of what should happen to the perpetrator have been
particularly fascinating.  Let me supply what may be a historical
analogy--at least in part--

After one of the battles of the Napoleonic Wars (one that napoleon won),
it was found that one of Napoleon's generals had taken action that made
it a great victory.

In recognition of the accomplishment, Napoleon gave the general the
Croix de Guerre on the spot.  he then had the general taken out and
shot for disobeying orders in order to win the battle.

I suggest that the perpetrator be quietly, privately, told that he
has succeeded in doing the community a great service by making the
security issues he exploited.  Let us then hope that he is convicted
of violating the relevant US statutes and punsihed severely.

What I *predict* will happen is somewhat different--

There will be a plea bargain reducing whatever charges are filed to
a single misdemeanor count--to which he will plead guilty.  He will
be given a suspended sentence (of perhaps 6 months), placed on probation
for a couple of years and fined.  I would guess the fine to be somewhere
in the vicinity of $2K to $5K.

     --Hal

=========================================================================
  Hal Heydt                             |    "Hafnium plus Holmium is
  Analyst, Pacific*Bell                 |     one-point-five, I think."
  415-645-7708                          |       --Dr. Jane Robinson
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