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Home Front: WoT
FBI: Fake boarding pass site legal
2006-11-29
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - The FBI is discontinuing an investigation into an Indiana University computer security student whose Web page included a way for people to print fake Northwest Airlines boarding passes.
Public-spirited. Just the kinda guy he is, *sniff*.
The 25-year-old Bloomington doctoral student says the boarding pass generator he created was intended to illustrate flaws in airport security.
Going for a PhD, huh? Prolly thought it would get him laid.
An FBI spokeswoman says their investigation determined that Christopher Soghoian did not violate federal law. Soghoian says federal officials took his computers and passport during the investigation but have since returned them.
Meet Chris. He's quite the cut-up. He's even been Wikified.
I though this bit was precious: "Hacktivism & Electronic Civil Disobedience"
He says he built his Web site generator to mimic Minneapolis-based Northwest Airlines boarding passes because he had one handy after flying the carrier recently.
I wonder if he'd cease being a moron if he got laid - hell, I might chip in $20. On the other hand, I'd chip in $50 if someone with persuasive skills wants to, um, have a quiet little one-on-one with the lad... Bloomington, was it?
Posted by:.com

#8  Got your computer stuff back, huh, Christopher?
That's good.
Think the feds might've put some neat "upgrades" in while they had it? Like, you might not even know that they're there...
Posted by: tu3031   2006-11-29 15:10  

#7  so the site may be legal, but isn't the presentation of fake documents a crime? this looks to me like a sure way to smuggle fake ground-side uniforms ( one piece at a time) into the 'sterile' areas and then pass yourself off as an authorized individual, gain access to the tarmac and then all sorts of 'fun' could be had. Especially if you got some sympathetic person to hold the door cuz your hands were full and you couldn't reach your badge.... just sayin, is all. this will come back to bite us somewhere.
Posted by: USN, ret.   2006-11-29 14:28  

#6  All it will take is for some idiot to use his site and then get caught in the airport. He will then be have supported a crime and will get what he deserves. What a dumbass, he needs to leave college, grow up and get a life.
Posted by: 49 Pan   2006-11-29 12:04  

#5  Northwest should just have him ....misplaced.
Posted by: Frank G   2006-11-29 08:46  

#4  I might chip in $20. On the other hand, I'd chip in $50

I see your 50$ and I up to 100.
Posted by: JFM   2006-11-29 08:42  

#3  CAIR wants to put him on retainer for some reason.
Posted by: Rob Crawford   2006-11-29 08:34  

#2  Lol - you can bet MoveOn (or similar) would hire him.
Posted by: .com   2006-11-29 08:03  

#1  investigation into an Indiana University computer security student

What odds he'll be able to find employment in his chosen field after this? Unless, of course, he can demonstrate that it was actually a honey trap, and list those he'd been able to track down and turn over to the authorities for conviction...
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-11-29 08:00  

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