more on Web Site Lets Anyone Create Fake Boarding Passes

When will our Senators understand ANYTHING


Begin forwarded message:

From: Jim Huggins <[email protected]>
Date: October 30, 2006 9:04:22 PM EST
To: David Farber <[email protected]>
Cc: Ip ip <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: more on Web Site Lets Anyone Create Fake Boarding Passes

On Sun, 29 Oct 2006, David Farber wrote (in part):

> I do seriously question the ethics and maturity of someone who
> demonstrates what is well understood just for the sake of it all.

I guess I'm not convinced that the boarding-pass loophole is actually  
well
understood ... at least, by those with the authority to change things.

As evidence, I cite the reaction of Congressman Edward Markey (D-Mass),
member of the House Homeland Security committee, who, after news of the
website became widely known, called for the creator of the website to be
arrested:

	http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,72023-0.html

And then, once it was explained to him that the creator only took a
previously-known attack and made it easier, called on the government to
*HIRE* him instead:

	http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2006/10/congressman_res.html

So, is the guy a criminal or a hero?  If Congress can't figure it  
out, I'm
not convinced they understand the underlying problems ...