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gWaldo
gWaldo
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I've come across a few questions where the user asks something like, "How do I set up a server when the IT department won't let me?"

Usually the questions are asked by a relatively inexperienced user. They usually require more of a "how-to" than a detailed analysis of a security flaw.

In this discussion, some people felt that vulnerabilities should be openly discussed, and I agree. I don't think that there should be any censorship based on the idea of obfruscationobfuscation.

However, I think that when it is clear that an inexperienced user is seeking to circumvent IT Policies in a way that may be injuriousharmful or dangerous to that person or that person's company we should close the question. I think that as a community of system administrators we owe it to each other to set a good example for IT Users.

I've come across a few questions where the user asks something like, "How do I set up a server when the IT department won't let me?"

Usually the questions are asked by a relatively inexperienced user. They usually require more of a "how-to" than a detailed analysis of a security flaw.

In this discussion, some people felt that vulnerabilities should be openly discussed, and I agree. I don't think that there should be any censorship based on the idea of obfruscation.

However, I think that when it is clear that an inexperienced user is seeking to circumvent IT Policies in a way that may be injurious to that person or that person's company we should close the question. I think that as a community of system administrators we owe it to each other to set a good example for IT Users.

I've come across a few questions where the user asks something like, "How do I set up a server when the IT department won't let me?"

Usually the questions are asked by a relatively inexperienced user. They usually require more of a "how-to" than a detailed analysis of a security flaw.

In this discussion, some people felt that vulnerabilities should be openly discussed, and I agree. I don't think that there should be any censorship based on the idea of obfuscation.

However, I think that when it is clear that an inexperienced user is seeking to circumvent IT Policies in a way that may be harmful or dangerous to that person or that person's company we should close the question. I think that as a community of system administrators we owe it to each other to set a good example for IT Users.

The use of the term "Lusers" is quite inappropriate and displays a lack of professionalism.
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John Gardeniers
John Gardeniers
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An ethical obligation to not answer questions seeking to circumvent IT policies? (Lusers)

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SLY
SLY
  • 1.3k
  • 6
  • 4

An ethical obligation to not answer questions seeking to circumvent IT policies? (Lusers)

I've come across a few questions where the user asks something like, "How do I set up a server when the IT department won't let me?"

Usually the questions are asked by a relatively inexperienced user. They usually require more of a "how-to" than a detailed analysis of a security flaw.

In this discussion, some people felt that vulnerabilities should be openly discussed, and I agree. I don't think that there should be any censorship based on the idea of obfruscation.

However, I think that when it is clear that an inexperienced user is seeking to circumvent IT Policies in a way that may be injurious to that person or that person's company we should close the question. I think that as a community of system administrators we owe it to each other to set a good example for IT Users.