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I think the landscape has changed a lot since then. Back then computer security had more of an underground feel it, where free and open discussion about it was

I think the landscape has changed a lot since then. Back then computer security had more of an underground feel it, where free and open discussion about it was viewed as being discouraged by 'the authorities'. The 'underground' pretty much existed for this reason. Now the information out there is so widely available. Given enough time and effort, you can become pretty well-versed based on what's available. Still, even back then most people weren't aware of Phrack, defcong and 2600. Kevin Mitnick was the only thing people knew of, and that came pretty late. Whereas today if you haven't heard of Anonymous you've been living under a rock. (Phreaking also has become less relevant with the proliferation unlimited cellphone plans, ubiquitous broadband, and proper encryption of cell calls. I never hear the term 'phreaking' anymore, which was a large part of 'the scene'.) Overall, I think the spirit of encouraging the'free exchange and discussion of information' has ultimately been successful.

keenerd 15y ago
> Phreaking also has become less relevant with ... Fortress phones did not help much either. Of course now even those pay phones are getting removed from a lot of locations.
zobzu 15y ago
I think we shouldn't sleep on our laurels. Free exchange of information, security wise, is certainly already a thing of the past. That's not good. Freedom of information (as I prefer to call it), in general, is more than ever at risk. In France, they're outlawing surfing on websites that can be called "terrorist". That include documenting yourself on "bad" countries' culture (bad as in your govt does not like them), or of course, reading phrack's art of exploitation. In Germany using tools such as nmap is outlawed if you're not a security professional. Not need to get started on China or even the USA. Then, take a look at Full disclosure's current activity. It's not dying because it's "an old ml". It's dying because people do not want to exchange free information. Who would, when you can sell it hundred thousand of dollars? (and the answer to that should be somewhere in your soul, right next to Phrack's World News)
- TheCowboy 15y ago
  My post said nothing to argue 'resting on our laurels' or any other political arguments to do so. It was about today relative to the past. And I really don't see how free exchange is a thing of the past when even on HN there are posts and discussions about security. Sure, there are people working against the free exchange of information, but cherry-picking examples to suggest there has been a total reversal or that nothing has been accomplished is neither realistic nor fair.

keenerd 15y ago

> Phreaking also has become less relevant with ... Fortress phones did not help much either. Of course now even those pay phones are getting removed from a lot of locations.

zobzu 15y ago

I think we shouldn't sleep on our laurels. Free exchange of information, security wise, is certainly already a thing of the past. That's not good. Freedom of information (as I prefer to call it), in general, is more than ever at risk. In France, they're outlawing surfing on websites that can be called "terrorist". That include documenting yourself on "bad" countries' culture (bad as in your govt does not like them), or of course, reading phrack's art of exploitation. In Germany using tools such as nmap is outlawed if you're not a security professional. Not need to get started on China or even the USA. Then, take a look at Full disclosure's current activity. It's not dying because it's "an old ml". It's dying because people do not want to exchange free information. Who would, when you can sell it hundred thousand of dollars? (and the answer to that should be somewhere in your soul, right next to Phrack's World News)

TheCowboy 15y ago
My post said nothing to argue 'resting on our laurels' or any other political arguments to do so. It was about today relative to the past. And I really don't see how free exchange is a thing of the past when even on HN there are posts and discussions about security. Sure, there are people working against the free exchange of information, but cherry-picking examples to suggest there has been a total reversal or that nothing has been accomplished is neither realistic nor fair.