Hard Light Productions Forums

Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Kosh on April 15, 2009, 09:54:29 am

Title: Using Linux = suspicious behavior
Post by: Kosh on April 15, 2009, 09:54:29 am

This (http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/04/14/193217) has got to be one of my absurd search and siezures ever.

Quote

FutureDomain writes "The Boston College Campus Police have seized the electronics of a computer science student for allegedly sending an email outing another student. The probable cause? The search warrant application states that he is 'a computer science major' and he uses 'two different operating systems for hiding his illegal activity. One is the regular B.C. operating system and the other is a black screen with white font which he uses prompt commands on.' The EFF is currently representing him."

You heard that right folks, when you use command line OS's you're using terrorism.

Title: Re: Using Linux = suspicious behavior
Post by: The E on April 15, 2009, 10:01:13 am

*Ahem* Read the documents the EFF helpfully provided. This isn't about using Linux, this is about the accused's reputation for being a cracker with the ability to alter grades for other students, with a heaping of slander on top. Spare the nerd rage for more deserving targets than a strangely worded search warrant.

Title: Re: Using Linux = suspicious behavior
Post by: Ghostavo on April 15, 2009, 03:33:01 pm

What is the regular B.C. operating system?

Title: Re: Using Linux = suspicious behavior
Post by: The E on April 15, 2009, 03:38:15 pm

Someone on /. said it was WinXP with a few added customizations.

Title: Re: Using Linux = suspicious behavior
Post by: Inquisitor on April 15, 2009, 06:28:47 pm

Using single disk/cd linux operating systems IS a well known, documented way to avoid leaving much in the way of "paper" trails. I believe some forumites here have even suggested it as an alternative to allowing "the man" at their schools to see what they were doing.

So, given that, and the text of the warrant, it appears they may have had grounds. Not all cops are oblivious, stupid, or evil.

Title: Re: Using Linux = suspicious behavior
Post by: S-99 on April 15, 2009, 07:01:58 pm

You could also use commandline browsers like elinks. It's like a normal browser except in command line.