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Previous Issue's Dilemma:
Real politics in the office
I liked one candidate; my boss preferred another. That should be fine, but it's not. My boss continually chided and ridiculed me in front of others for my preference.
Finally, I got tired of it and used an XSS vulnerability on Obama's site to redirect people to Clinton's site. See for yourself.
Now, the Secret Service is interviewing all the people in my office. I think this will affect my future at the company. Should I tell my boss to keep his opinion to himself, or should I wait and make a statement to the press after I'm arrested? What do your readers suggest I do?
-- Paul (company withheld)
You were wrong!
Paul, our readers were unanimous in their opinion and a little angry with you. When you hacked in, you became one of the enemies that software security professionals try to thwart. Shame on you.
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Typical reader comments:
Own up to it and bite the bullet
R.B. says to confess:
"This is less a technical than a moral question. What you did was wrong and could likely cost your job, but it's done, and there's no way to undo it. So how to limit the damages?
"In my opinion, it is best to confess as early as possible. Waiting usually will make everything worse. Maybe you should talk to the Secret Service people first. This will stop further investigation. Confessing to your boss will help to explain everything to him. Maybe that will make him merciful. Maybe you'll lose your job."
R.B. adds, "If you don't confess and the truth is discovered, you'll be fired AND get a bad reputation. God forgives, but we'll still have to bear the consequences. Good luck!"
Get a good lawyer
"Stupid, stupid," comments H.S. from Michigan. "What you did was very stupid. You are a disgrace to our profession. Get a good lawyer, because you'll need one. Forget about keeping your job; you won't have it much longer."
Another reader, J.S. from California, agrees:
"Chiding and ridiculing you is lame but not illegal. Exploiting a weakness in a Web site is illegal. Get ready for fines and maybe jail time. Who knows, you may meet up with O.J."
You should be ashamed
Rob from Illinois echoes what J.S. said:
"Your boss is a jerk, but you are worse. How could you hack a Web site for real? That's against everything we try to prevent. You should be ashamed."
Our readers have spoken
Your boss is insensitive, but you were wrong, wrong, wrong and should pay for what you did. If our readers had a vote, you would be voted out of a job and out of our profession.
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