Das Buch Wer mitmacht, hat Recht!

I just stumbled across an awful article about weaknesses in the Gnu/Linux operating system. It doesn’t start off that bad:

Since Microsoft has a huge chunk of the operating system’s market in the world, it is the first victim of hackers.

The above statement is not entirely wrong, it merely leaves things out. But then it tells a big fat ugly LIE:

...the Linux Operating System doesn’t receive the same level of support as Windows does. That means that updates and security packages are released with each new version of the Operating System (OS), but not as periodic updates…

I mean, while I was reading that concoction my Gnu/Linux operating system informed me of updates I should install. I did not have to wait for PDAY nor check a newsletter or website.

Too bad I can’t call upon the author, because there is none given. The website is dubious at best: spelling mistakes in the footer of the pages, no real names given anywhere, and after a few clicks the site broke for me and displayed only half a page…

Now, I am not disputing the fact about vulnerabilities in Linux, am disputing all allegations in that article because it does not cite one single source! There are no references IN the article – that’s not how you properly write about what you might perceive as facts. That’s how you try to get away with the shitting bull hoping nobody will smell the dung pile.

Now, not only is possession of Hacker-Tools illegal in Germany, no, now you’re getting in big, big trouble if you’re a social person, sharing your wireless internet connection.

In Germany you’re responsible for…

• ... what people post on your forum or blog
• ... the content of external websites you link to (even tho they are not your websites)
• ... every crime committed using your free wifi hotspot

That’s what a certain law says, that was already used SEVERAL times to SUCCESSFULLY convict people.

The law in question defines the term “interferer accountability” .
Meaning: If THEY think you’re offering something, knowingly, willingly, so others can misuse it.. YOU are responsible!
You can’t even claim “you didn’t know”. You’re supposed to read up on whatever possibilities to break a law you might be offering.

If you’re running a free, open, wireless hotspot in Germany and someone (mis)uses your internet connection for, say, piracy, you’re responsible.
At least that’s what the court of appeal in Frankfurt/Main ruled just a few days ago.

This ruling had me take down two Fon social wireless access points here in the house.
They [Fon] allowed unauthenticated users to get a couple of free minutes on any Fon access point without authentication. This was part of a promotional stunt but put every Fonero in Germany at risk to get sued for what those people did!

No more free wireless from my place!
Blame the German law, and the court in Frankfurt!

Source: Law-Blog: OLG Frankfurt zu unverschlüsseltem WLAN und Störerhaftung

Update
For our German speaking readers, please watch this video .
Those are the folks who are part of the ones banning “hacker tools”.
It’s so ridiculous.. neither do they really use the internet, nor do they know what a “browser” is.
BUT, they have their own homepage which they are (admittedly) too stupid to use on their own.

German news: http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/92334/from/atom10
Statement from German hacker group Phenoelit: http://www.phenoelit.de/202/202.html

In short:
If you own any hacker tool which “aim is to commit a crime”...

• nmap
• metasploit
• any penetration testing tool in general
• port scanners
• network analyzers? (hopefully not those too)

... you’re signing up for one year in jail or a hefty fine.
That reads OWNING, not using, it’s just OWNING.