Hacker News Reader

I think it’s hilarious Trump’s account was compromised but calling a nerd who steals accounts an ethical hacker is like calling someone who steals elections an ethical president. Hope they lock him up. Both of ‘em.

View on HN

I though that too, well the part about the hacker anyway, until I ... read the article. They are ‘ethical’ hackers in the sense that they immediately informed the Trump administration.

Whether that’s actually ethical or not is a tangential discussion because the existence and application of term is not controversial.

Ethical hackers hack for fame and money, but they don't blackmail or disclose any information that could harm anybody. Lots of companies already take part in bug bounty programs with explicit rewards for hackers or implement "coordinated vulnerability disclosure" (CVD).

I read the article too, mate. It doesn't change my mind on the matter. If someone broke into my house, my righteous indignation would not be assuaged by their refusal to steal and immediate disclosure to me of how easily my lock was compromised.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com