Re: Simple Question

[Jay Holovacs <holovacs@idt.net>]

At 02:11 AM 4/16/99 -0400, The Sheriff wrote:
>>So, assuming you operate a remailer or a dial-up server and your system
>>is compromised, how do you, without putting yourself in a difficult
>>legal position, warn the users that the operating system is infected so
>>that the traffic dies or becomes irrelevant?
>
>You could always say you're temporarily out of service, creating some
>annoyingly small yet fatal glitch with the service to back up your
>assertion when the cops bang down the door.
>
I suppose the feds response may be to simply take over the operation of
your 'closed' server. They do this all the time in other fields, even
running illegal and arguably harmful-to-the-public operations like drug
labs so they can collect judicial trophies. If the clues regarding change
of hands are too subtle, most users will miss them. The best situation
would be that certain reliable others be continuously aware of quiet
indications that all is or is not well. With someone else running the show,
they may no longer receive adequate assurances. These 'loudmouths', not
under restriction, or even in different jurisdictions, could draw their own
conclusions do their own thing (whatever that might be). Information
ignores national boundaries.


jay


*************
"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time
to reform." -- Mark Twain