I’m always amazed at the lengths some people will go to in exploiting legitimate services for their own ends. This story in today’s New York Times is a good example: Hacker Said to Resell Internet Phone Service.

Federal authorities arrested one man in Miami and another in Spokane, Wash., today in connection with what they said was a hacking scheme involving the resale of Internet telephone service. The suspects were said to have illegally tapped into the lines of legitimate Internet phone companies, saddling them with the expense of extra traffic, while collecting more than $1 million in connection fees.

Look at the logistics of this alleged scam. It takes a heck of a lot of precise knowledge to do what they are alleged to have done. Imagine trying to follow suit. Think of the complexities of the task. Run through it step by step. The mind boggles.

And what about the chances of getting caught? Well, they can never be less than 50pc, and are probably closer to 90pc, given time.

So what’s my point? Conjure up an alternative scenario where these guys put their ingenuity and entrepreneurial flair to work in a legit business. What might they not achieve? Even if it’s only working for the CIA in the phonetapping department, they would surely become heroes.

Heroes or zeroes? Some folk always get it wrong.

Conversation.