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Thread ID: 94835 2008-11-14 00:38:00 Woah... ubergeek85 (131) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
720116 2008-11-14 00:38:00 I'm a student a CPIT, and for those who don't know, on every computer at CPIT, a message is displayed before loging in.

I just found out how to change it. And not just on the local machine, but for every. Single. Computer. At CPIT. At all campuses.

I'm wondering, should I change it, or just leave it be. If I change it, CPIT could take various actions, possibly even removing me as a student (although it would be a bit of an overreaction).

Should I, and if so, change it to what? (this can be images too). I was thinking of flipping the message upside-down, and putting the text "This is not very secure" in addition to the current message. Remember, it would be viewed by thousands of students...

Opinions/ideas?
ubergeek85 (131)
720117 2008-11-14 00:41:00 A less "look-at-how-clever-I-am" approach would be to document the steps you could take to hack the network and send that to the campus IT tech-heads. Less risky than actually doing it, and might even gain some brownie points.... johcar (6283)
720118 2008-11-14 00:47:00 Write "This computer will self destruct in 5......4......3......2......1.........


........


.......

Anytime now......"
rob_on_guitar (4196)
720119 2008-11-14 00:49:00 I've done more digging. Turns out I can only alter the MOTD for one campus.

joncar's one is probably the right thing to do.
ubergeek85 (131)
720120 2008-11-14 00:52:00 Have to admit I'd be very very tempted to change it, but no, not a good idea.

Show what you did to get to that stage and then take it to admin.
wratterus (105)
720121 2008-11-14 01:03:00 OK, I did what I should've done, and emailed the IT desk.

Here's hoping they do something about it before monday.
ubergeek85 (131)
720122 2008-11-14 01:10:00 Perhaps a brownie point or two for signs of maturity? Scouse (83)
720123 2008-11-14 01:12:00 Awww, but there's no fun in maturity! ubergeek85 (131)
720124 2008-11-14 01:24:00 Emailing the helpdesk isn't necessarily a smart idea either - dunno about your institution, but the one I work for has an IT policy that says you're not allowed to look for loopholes either - if yours is the same, they may opt to shoot the messenger rather than have their admins look bad. If I was you, I'd read the relevant statutes for your organisation first.

If you must report holes, then for goodness sake don't email the whole team about it (particularly not the helpdesk) - find the person responsible and inform them directly. You DON'T want the admins pissed off with you because you made them look incompetant.

[Edit: If you can't find the right person, then an anonymous tipoff is better.]
Erayd (23)
720125 2008-11-14 01:30:00 Just read the appropriate policy (www.cpit.ac.nz) now. There's no 'shoot-the-messenger' stuff, which is good.

Edit: And anyway, I alrealy sent the email, with my full name in it.
ubergeek85 (131)
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