Anyone who doesn't know about this already...

[avevale_intelligencer]

If you have a Google Mail (Gmail) account, go to the page, log in, click on Settings|General, go down to Browser Connections and click on "Always use https" if you haven't already. Do it now.

Apparently someone named Mike Perry was concerned that this feature was optional and people were not using it. So concerned, in fact, that he has (again apparently) released to the public a tool by which accounts not thus protected can be easily hacked. There was (again apparently) a two-week warning.

Thus far the facts, as I understand them. Thanks to pbristow for bringing this to my attention.

I have found many things on the web that have made me angry. This is one. If it is generally accepted that hacking email accounts is a bad thing, an evil action, then it is evil no matter what the excuse. Deliberately releasing wolves into the village to get people to put up stronger shutters is not morally acceptable. Depending on timing, this person may or may not be ultimately responsible for sibylle's Gmail account being hacked and all the distress and hassle attendant thereupon, to name just one case known to me personally. There is no justification. NONE! If all the above is true as I understand it, then the man should be punished to the full extent of whatever law exists to deal with data thieves.

I resent being railroaded, stampeded, bushwhacked or hornswoggled. I am perfectly capable of abandoning the net altogether if this is how things are done. I have plenty else to do.

I will be watching most carefully for any further signs of this kind of criminal irresponsibility masquerading as "public spirit." I suggest everyone who reads this does likewise.

Comments

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

Thank you. And agreed.