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From: MXB126@psuvm.psu.edu (Michael S Barthelemy)
Newsgroups: alt.security,comp.sys.next,psu.general,psu.cac.general
Subject: Abuse of System Administrators privledges? (Public/Private Files)
Message-ID: <90164.185721MXB126@psuvm.psu.edu>
Date: 13 Jun 90 22:57:21 GMT
Organization: Definitely *not* Penn State University
Lines: 65

We have all heard of computer systems abuse but here may be a new part of the
issue.

The question:

   Is what one has on their *own* storage medium public or private?  and ...
   Does a system administrator have the right to search it if it is protected
      against being searched?

I recently (Just a few hours ago) had my NeXT account here at Penn State Univ.
locked.  I can put my suspicions on the fact why it was locked because of the
fact that I had a *partially* compiled copy of AberMUD (A game) on my Optical
Disk.  If my OD is readable only by myself is it against the law for the systemm
administrator to search through *my* files on a storage medium which *I own*?
Would this be a violation of the Constitution which guarantees me the right to
private property?

I have been told not to have the AberMUD code on my account and do not have it
on my account but do they have the right to be able to tell me what I can and
cannot have on my Optical Disk?  And would those iles on my OD be considered a
part of my account?

Any intelligent replys welcome, flames ignored.

Michael S Barthelemy
   The Computer Science Major looking for a good Computer Science School.
   (If you happen to know of one which you would recommend please e-mail me.)

===============================================================================

To any PSU administrators who may read this:

   Fuck you all.  {Irrational comment of the day}

   BTW:  Don't try to console me.  I am leaving the University and going
         elsewhere in the fall and because of the attitude problem which
         most of you have I am **never** going to **ever** recommend that
         **anyone** I know **ever** attend Penn State and if ever given
         the chance I will speak **very negatively** of the computer
         systems resources management here at PSU.  You all seem to be too
         tied up in making the rules that you have forgotten that this is
         a University.  (i.e.  Someplace where people learn.)  All people
         don't learn in the same way so why stifle someones learning process?

   To Dr. Jordan:

      (This is not a flame and would someone see that Dr. Jordan acutually
       reads this.)

      Your committee on Computer systems security should not be looking at what
      regulations that you should put on this universities greatly
      *underutilized* computer resources but should be looking into first
      what the security problems are and what can be done to fix them.  Adding
      regulations will not fix the security breaches in the computer systems
      on campus.  This university could gain a large amount of prestige by
      publishing fixes for some of the security gaps in computer operating
      systems.  Finally, adding regulations is likely to end up chasing more
      students away because of the regulations stifiling the learning process
      for some individuals.  Feel free to call me if you would like to hear any
      more.  (Phone Number 867-6216)

   Side note:

      Don't even think of cancling this post because *I* paid for it while
      posting it from my B-Account here on PSUVM.