Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

> Scanning for open ports on other peoples networks? How is that different from casing a house for entrances?

It's more like looking through other people's windows as you walk by the street. May be creepy if you always stare at the same window, but formally there's nothing wrong with that. If you do not want people to see through your public-facing windows in your home, it's your responsibility to install blinds or shades.




More like ringing the door bell and running of to the next house?


If you walk around town looking in every window, you’re probably not gonna have a good time when you get detained or shot. Let’s not pretend like there are legitimate use cases for scanning ports of networks you don’t control.


> If you walk around town looking in every window, you’re probably not gonna have a good time when you get detained or shot.

Dude, what kind of town do you live in? It sounds scary!

Here in Europe many towns have narrow streets with houses directly by the street (with no front yard). It is essentially impossible to not look through the windows of people unless you make a robotic effort to avoid it.


Hint...it's probably NOT Europe :)


TIL there are hackers living in high-crime areas. Seems like a good idea to move to a neighborhood where you won’t get shot for having your eyes up, which is almost all of my city.


The US. And a big city where such behavior will end badly for you. The general rule is not to fuck with other people.


A few years ago, in Paris, my commuting by train got perfectly synchronized with the alarm clock of an old gentleman who lived next to my workplace. Every day, he opened his window exactly as I was passing in front of it. After a few weeks, we got to know each other in that strange way that people "know" each other but have never talked. After a few months, we were saying "bonjour" to each other, and sharing a smile. I would be honestly surprised if the man suddenly decided to shot me! Would that be a common thing to do in the U.S.A. ?


Don’t be daft. You weren’t peeking in his window or at his back door, and you didn’t do that to a thousand houses. If you think this is acceptable, I dare you to go around the nearest city to you and start checking all the windows and doors on every house you can for a day.


>The general rule is not to fuck with other people.

I do that..even in a big city. It's cool when you do it to yourself, but makes much more fun with a another person, you should try it out someday.


>Let’s not pretend like there are legitimate use cases for scanning ports of networks you don’t control.

You can ask Ebay about that.




Join us for AI Startup School this June 16-17 in San Francisco!

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: