A forum on hacking? Legal?

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by D_C, Aug 9, 2006.

  1. #1
    Hello. I currently own a forum that I'm trying to get out to the world, and I'm wondering what guidelings I should follow if I was to add a hacking forum inside it.

    The forum itsself concerns computers and everything about them. So someone suggested a hacking part in it. Keep in mind someone hack as their jobs to test the protection of schools and companies and such. So would I be able to make it as long as the rule is you cannot talk about ileagle matters inside this forum?

    Thanks,

    ~D_C
     
    D_C, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  2. M S

    M S Active Member

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    #2
    Would be hard to differentiate between legal and illegal. Some can say its for legal use such as protecting systems, but at the same time they can be hacking for illegal uses.
     
    M S, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  3. aqrhine

    aqrhine Active Member

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    #3
    There are three different forms of hacking. White hat, Black hat, and Grey hat. White hat as you would assume is legal, people hacking to benefit others and the internet in general. Grey hat is a shady area, people hacking to benefit themselves while not nescerily breaking any laws perhaps morals though. Black hat is the dark side, people hacking to benefit themselves at the expense of others.

    As long as YOU state that there be no talk of illegal activities then you should have no problems with adsense or anyone else.
     
    aqrhine, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  4. Keith Taylor

    Keith Taylor Active Member

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    #4
    Simply talking about hacking isn't illegal, but then neither is talking about molesting children - but advertisers wouldn't want to be associated with either subject.

    You have to ask yourself if having a hacking forum would add enough to your site to be worth the headaches. I suggest no.
     
    Keith Taylor, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  5. aqrhine

    aqrhine Active Member

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    #5
    well stated above, but if you merely speak of the legal aspects of child molest... i mean hacking then the advertisers should have no argument. Basically just call the forum a networking/security forum and all worries are gone. It's the same thing with a different name.
     
    aqrhine, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  6. Keith Taylor

    Keith Taylor Active Member

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    #6
    That's true, but you'd have to strictly police the forum to make sure the conversation stayed within safe bounds - or simply don't run advertising on that page and post a disclaimer to say that the webmaster doesn't support anything posted on the page. Still, sounds likea big headache for little benefit to me.
     
    Keith Taylor, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  7. D_C

    D_C Well-Known Member

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    #7
    Well im not going to add it then, its not worth it. But a funny thought came to mind. If you had a forum on child molesation... what would google ads bring up?

    Thanks Keith!
     
    D_C, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  8. Keith Taylor

    Keith Taylor Active Member

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    #8
    Well, there's a slang term here in the UK for pedophilia: 'kiddie fiddling'. Knowing Adsense it would probably bring up ads for music classes for children.
     
    Keith Taylor, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  9. brandnewx

    brandnewx Peon

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    #9
    It's legal. Discussion is perfectly legal unless your forum hosts some kind of illegal hacking meeting ("I want to hack digitalpoint.com, can you help me?"....). If members just share exploits and HOWTO hacking tutorials then it's again legal.

    I used to be a member of Altalavista.net where we discussed on hardcore hacking, shared and downloaded some sensitive files. All are perfectly legal.
     
    brandnewx, Aug 13, 2006 IP
  10. kartik786

    kartik786 Well-Known Member

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    #10
    thnx guyz.

    I was thinking of starting one for my domain hacking
     
    kartik786, Sep 12, 2006 IP
  11. Barti1987

    Barti1987 Well-Known Member

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    #11
    There are way more three types of Hacking.

    You can speak about hacking as much as you want, you can even create a system where people can display websites they hacked, etc..

    What you can't do is the following:

    * Allow users to use your system to hack
    * Instruct users to hack certain website/group
    * Instruct users to hack into governmental websites (very shady, you can tell them teach them how to buypass certain blocks but always try to stay away from the government).
    * Make sure you never, and I say never every Teach or instruct your users to hack any of the following sites (people that did suffered many consequences including the Death penalty):

    - www.hotfile.us
    - www.myimage.us
    - www.TopMFA.com

    Do the above and you should be on the safe side.

    Peace,



    Disclaimer: This is not a legal advise
     
    Barti1987, Sep 12, 2006 IP
  12. endora

    endora Peon

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    #12
    Wow this is some great information!! I never knew you could even talk about hacking on a site! I would think just the nature of the site would cause you more trouble then it was worth. Those hacker people love to test the skills and i bet you would be hacked to death just for amusement. :D
     
    endora, Sep 12, 2006 IP
  13. Mike S.

    Mike S. Well-Known Member

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    #13

    Can you share an example of the Death Penalty being a consequence for hacking in a country that is not associated being 3rd World?

    Anyways,
    You have to be strict, and moitor the forum activity. Check your hosts regulations as well as any opensource software.
     
    Mike S., Sep 12, 2006 IP
  14. RH78

    RH78 Peon

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    #14
    I would state (like a page before they entered that forum) that you do not support any malicious techniques and any instruction or collaboration to such activities on the forum will result in being banned and any investigaion into any illegal activity by law offcials will have your support.

    Some scare tactic like that oughta keep the forums....civil.

    But then again...is it worth the potential headache?
     
    RH78, Sep 12, 2006 IP
  15. Robert Allen

    Robert Allen Peon

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    #15
    Simple. Just a bit of disclaimer should do the trick.

    Robert
     
    Robert Allen, Sep 12, 2006 IP
  16. slinky

    slinky Banned

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    #16
    No - terms of use is where he should put in the clauses. Disclaimer means he is disclaiming something about the service he provides. It does not bind the users. By getting the users to agree to a terms of use they agree in advance that they cannot and will not post information or use it to conduct illegal activities, this binds the users as a condition to using the forums. This doesn't mean he can allow it to go on at will, despite warnings, etc. but it's what you need to do in order to get things on the right track. Good luck! :D
     
    slinky, Sep 12, 2006 IP