Blog post on laws and ethics

I chose this law:

18 USC 1362

NB: This unofficial compilation of the U.S. Code is current as of Jan. 4, 2012

(see http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscprint.html).

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 65 - MALICIOUS MISCHIEF

§ 1362. Communication lines, stations or systems

Source of information:

I started reading this website: http://www.hackerlaw.org/?page_id=55

And a link connected me with Cornell’s University Law School webpage: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1029

This law is related to computer hacking to the US Government or any equipment or military facility related to the government, in in construction or fully functional. This is a very difficult law to evaluate, to explain why would it be justifiable to hack into a US Government facility. After thinking for a while I came to the conclusion that one of the possibly many reasons could be to uncover corruption and fraud by hacking into their computer systems and obtaining evidence that incriminates a specific person or persons with the intention to bring them to justice. Another possible reason would be to hack into the US Government to gather information for another country. Why do I think that justifies breaking the law? Well, If I work for a different Government and the US law doesn’t apply to the hacker while it’s hack into the systems to serve their country. One way of the other, even if the hacking is done with the best intentions, this is against the law. No one is above the law and no matter the outcome, breaking the law doesn’t change just because the intentions of the hackers were good. In fact, the intentions of the attacker would not seem pure and righteous with the negative connotation the adjective “hacker” has being given throughout the years, would only put the hacker and a way more difficult situation and under the attacks of the media as well. Again, good or bad intentions the law would exercise, regardless.