Massachusetts Worker Cleared Of Child Porn After Malware Discovered On His Machine; Life Still In Shambles
from the not-a-good-situation dept
Remember the ridiculous Julie Amero case in Connecticut? That was the one where a substitute teacher was facing jail time because the computer she used in a classroom had malware that displayed pornographic images. The local prosecutors wanted to send her to jail, despite the fact that it was the malware that put up the porn. It looks like a similar situation (luckily, without the jailtime) is playing itself out in Massachusetts. There, a "computer illiterate" state employee was fired for child porn found on his computer. After hiring a computer forensics expert, who pointed out that the state's IT department hadn't configured the machines securely and that it was chock full of malware, the guy has been cleared of child porn charges -- but that doesn't change the fact that he's been disgraced and out of work for over a year.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: fired, malware, massachusetts
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But that's ok - I need a job, so let's not change that too much :)
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Damn the media...
In the eyes of the press, you're guilty. Period.
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Re: Damn the media...
The media is all about sensationalizing anything, regardless of the fact it could ruin lives.
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Re: Re: Damn the media...
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Re: Re: Re: Damn the media...
Economics and the consumers are as much to blame as the downfall of journalistic integrity. That, and the ability for ANYONE to make any statement these days, and declare it fact, despite the overwhelming likelihood that it is being anything but.
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A Good Reason
The majority of computer users are in the same situation this guy is. To say that anti-spyware and anti-virus could have helped is ridiculous. The malware authors are constantly circumventing protective systems and the clueless user gets screwed.
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Re: A Good Reason
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Lawsuit...
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Re: Lawsuit...
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Really child porn malware??
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the american way
nothing a $100,000,000 lawsuit can't fix. never have to work again, and can move to a place where his name isn't known by the locals. and for the nay-sayers that say that it's too much or that they shouldn't sue... well, if you allow ridiculous sums of money to be paid out for wrongfully accusing folks, then the prosecution will make g*damn sure they've got it right.
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Re: the american way
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Re: the american way
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Re:
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Yes Really Child Porn Malware
And the comment about it being a good excuse yes it was a good excuse to get out of jail, Hell anything is a good excuse to get out of jail
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How did the malware get on the machine?
I just find it odd that this "computer illiterate employee" in using his company laptop issued with usage instructions got this stuff installed while preforming his standard work related procedures. So while we all like to blame the IT and the malware, cause we don't want to ruin this guy's life, truth be told, it is his fault it's on his machine. Since the law is possession and ignorance is in no other circumstance a defense, this kinda gets me ticked off.
He was a threat to the network and used his tools in an unprofessional manner. Sure fight the child porn charges, as his not being aware should mitigate some but not all of the responsibility, however, I do not feel sorry for him loosing his job. If I used a hammer, blowtorch, stove, etc, incorrectly or inappropriately I'd be held accountable. They supplied him a computer for a reason. The computer is a tool. Hold him accountable for abusing the tool just like he would if it were any other tool.
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Re: How did the malware get on the machine?
Have you ever thought that the computer may have had the crap on it before he was given the computer. I guess the next job he gets he needs to demand that the computer has never been used before or have the OS reinstalled.
I wonder if any music cds were played on the computer if so it could have been one of the S0ny root kit disks.
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Re: How did the malware get on the machine?
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Re: How did the malware get on the machine?
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Re: How did the malware get on the machine?
Furthermore, we look up all kind of industry-important things on there. Lots of Internet browsing for actual work. Zero porn browsing for entertainment. We have Ad-Aware that runs each morning, Spybot that runs every Monday, and Avast! that runs continuously, with a full sweep each month.
Yet we still got zombied. I have no idea how. Neither does my hubby, who is an IT professional. So now I guess we should be prosecuted for all of the spam that was sent through our computer and our domain. Huh. That's a novel approach.
And to Ben W below. Those programs are useful, but not even remotely close to fullproof.
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Re: How did the malware get on the machine?
1. It had been used by another person previously, and the techs who prepared to machine for redeployment only removed the obvious crap and didn't bother wiping/reimaging it, leaving malware intact.
2. The guy left the machine in the office one night, and someone decided to use it to surf for porn (perhaps logging in using an insecure or widely-known admin password).
3. Some intern couldn't find the real version of Office so decided to install a warez copy he found instead.
4. The machine wasn't properly patched and a well-known exploit was used to zombie the machine the second he logged on line.
5. The machine wasn't properly secured and it got hosed when he got one of those 'hey click here!' messages from one of his similarly-hacked MSN contacts.
That's just scratching the surface. Remember also, that as an illiterate user, he may well have done something to hose the machine himself to root the machine without remembering it. That's why a competent I.T. department doesn't allow users admin access...
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Let's be honest....
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Re: Let's be honest....
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Malware Tools
He SHOULD be fired from his job. Not sure if he should be arrested. If you are at work and you do something to compromise their security (however lax it may be), you need to find yourself another one.
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Re: Malware Tools
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Re: Malware Tools
When we protect children, we have to remember that those we accuse often have children who ALSO NEED PROTECTING. How about growing up knowing your dad killed himself? How about the fact that law enforcement often interrogates suspects in front of their children? It is sick and it has to stop.
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OpenDNS
in addition to proper security of course.
I recommend OpenDNS to parents, especially ones with
rebellious teenagers, and professionals alike and I use it myself and it does an excellent job of taking the trash out.
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Malware, but IT ADMIN
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Re:
"Staying late at work again, honey?"
"Yes, dear, you know how the paperwork gets."
*frying pan to head*
Anyway, tons of people look at porn at work. But it may have been the guy before him or anyone. They admitted the network was very unsafe and that the computer was not lcoked down or even updated properly before they gave it to him.
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This is what happens when...
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issues with work machines
re: openDNS
What?!?!? you are making a recommendation based on what information? Most companies manage their own DNS or outsource it to their primary ISP. openDNS is not a valid recommendation with the information that you know.
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State jobs are cushy, sure; but the pay is barely average for similar jobs in the private sector. Jobs are out there. Stop being a loser. It seems to me, given the limited information out there, that he's just trying out pity and fraud to see how far it'll get him.
I'd also probably guess, that unless someone else uses his computer, he was DLing the p0xRn. That's just my humble opinion, though.
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*Not valid with charges of child pornography, child molestion or terrorism. Some restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Limited time offer. See your attorney for details.
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RE: the stuff is planted
1. Jacksonville TX: Lon Morris Jr. College golf coach indicted for child porn.
2. Rusk Texas teacher sentenced to 78 months for child porn.
3. Another Rusk Texas teacher sentenced to 4 years for IM a minor and child porn.
4. And another pastor and a Christian academy sentenced to 48 months for child porn.
We've all heard about the Mineola, TX "Swinger's Club" and the ongoing trial for the sexual exploitation of kids.
That is East Texas for you- fake Christians and perverts in the school system. Planted there to frame people each other with their filth by the Cherokee County district attorney's office.
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new file engine search!
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Child porn on computer
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