just got interviewed for local news

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  • Deviant Ollam
    Semi-Professional Swearer
    • May 2003
    • 3417

    #1

    just got interviewed for local news

    so, my local CBS affiliate just interviewed me about lockpicking and physical security. i believe that Toool had popped up on their radar during HOPE and they choose to get in touch with us (the east coast chapter of Toool-USA) because techniques like bump keying are starting to make some headlines.

    i generally don't like talking to the press or media about anything, since i'm rarely wowed over by the results that they produce (the exception, of course, to that rule would be patty walsh, the freelance reporter who's covered defcon and other community events in the past for independent news organizations. her work is always stellar) but was nominated by the rest of the sportpickers in the group since they said i made the best face for our organization. anyone who knows me has seen that i haven't been near a gym in a number of years, so i doubt i'd make a good face for anything besides lager and ale. however, i said yes since i like getting information about security out to a wide audience.

    i'm wondering what angle they're going to take with the piece, however. there were a handful of those typical mainstream media questions along the lines of "doesn't talking about this publicly have the potential to aid criminals in their craft?" to which the answer is always "no... criminals are actually already very adept at committing crimes. talking about bad security to a criminal is like talking about gun safety to a cop... they already know the fine details. you want the unedeucated person to get this knowlege... you want the average homeowner to know about poor security (and, i would say, about bad firearm handling practices) so that they don't make simple mistakes and can take the proper steps necessary to protect themselves and their loved ones."

    it's just going to be a very short piece... like two minutes or so. that might actually work in our favor. they seemed genuinely interested in the security threats that societies face and in learning about what john and jane q. public can do to mitigate them. i doubt they'd have time after showing the bump keying (which the reporter herself took a whack at and managed to do on the second try) to get into the sensationalism of "is your teenage neighbor a lockpicker in his spare time?"

    but, we'll see i suppose.

    p.s. - in true defcon fashion, i demonstrated the opening of a padlock with metal from a Guinness can. it would be really neat if that got on the air.
    28
    to protect themselves, the public should be aware of the weaknesses in many locks
    17.86%
    5
    omfg! all locks are teh suck! sleep under your bed and hide your jewelry up your ass!!!1!
    14.29%
    4
    a little bit of fact mixed with a little bit of sensationalism... infotainment as usual
    57.14%
    16
    Media Sucks: "Hackers use bump keys to infect your computer with viruses!"
    10.71%
    3
    "I'll admit I had an OiNK account and frequented it quite often… What made OiNK a great place was that it was like the world's greatest record store… iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up. I feel like I'm being hustled when I visit there, and I don't think their product is that great. DRM, low bit rate, etc... OiNK it existed because it filled a void of what people want."
    - Trent Reznor
  • DJ Jackalope
    Resident DJ/Event Pusher
    • May 2003
    • 1282

    #2
    Re: just got interviewed for local news

    heh, ask Tommee Pickles about the news!
    ======================================
    DJ Jackalope
    dopest dj in the galaxy. *mwah!*

    send in the drop bears!
    ======================================

    Comment

    • noid
      Fun Enforcement Agent
      • Oct 2001
      • 2394

      #3
      Re: just got interviewed for local news

      There was a piece just last week on bumpkeying on our local news radio. Overall, I would say the media experience varies from person to person and agency to agency. I have worked with media people who were only interested in sensationalizing some particular thing they had already made their mind up about, and i have worked with others that came into it with the attitude of 'i dont know anything about this, educate me'. Hopefully you got one of the good ones.

      In general I don't let the media use my real name. In the few cases where they have insisted on a real name for 'their records' I have given them an alias. Also watch what you say at all times. Your words can be twisted against you. If you say something like 'C'mon, we're just researching security, its not like we love to eat babies', guess which part of that quote will end up on the teevee.

      I return whatever i wish . Its called FREEDOWM OF RANDOMNESS IN A HECK . CLUSTERED DEFEATED CORn FORUM . Welcome to me

      Comment

      • theprez98
        SpoonfeederExtraordinaire
        • Jan 2005
        • 1507

        #4
        Re: just got interviewed for local news

        Originally posted by noid
        Also watch what you say at all times. Your words can be twisted against you. If you say something like 'C'mon, we're just researching security, its not like we love to eat babies', guess which part of that quote will end up on the teevee.
        Ala "I am the CLIT Commander!"

        Deviant, let us know how it goes. And post the video if you can, as well.
        "\x74\x68\x65\x70\x72\x65\x7a\x39\x38";

        Comment

        • renderman
          Notorious Canadian Hacker
          • Mar 2003
          • 1428

          #5
          Re: just got interviewed for local news

          Depending on how far you got in demonstrating things it can go either way. From my experience with the wardriving community, either the person being interviewed does'nt get beyond 'hey watch this, I do something cool and illegal' or they pass that and point out the underlying issue.

          With lockpicking it boils down to weither or not you got the point across that people are buying bad locks and companies are not addressing the issue, or they just saw a bunch of wannbe thieves.

          My money is that you will look good, but the tone of the piece will probably be an 'evil people could rob you blind' fox esque kind of thing.
          Never drink anything larger than your head!





          Comment

          • Deviant Ollam
            Semi-Professional Swearer
            • May 2003
            • 3417

            #6
            Re: just got interviewed for local news

            Originally posted by noid
            Also watch what you say at all times. Your words can be twisted against you.
            there actually was one instance where i worried about that... a couple times the reporter would pose questions hypothetically asking what would happen if someone with this hobby decided on a life of crime. i responded to one question sort of along these lines... "so, you're saying what if i hypothetically became a criminal? well, i or any other criminal wouldn't pick locks because criminals don't pick locks... if someone wants to get into your house illegally they'll smash a window or kick in the door"

            i was worried about them trying to use the "i or any other ciminal" line out of context. but geez, it would be really unscroupulous and unprofessional of them to outright fabricate the dialogue like that.

            as for names, they originally were introduced to me (and i originally interacted with them) as "deviant ollam"... however they do have my actual name as well. this is predominantly because i don't want the hobby of picking to come across (or be portrayed as) something nefarious. i figure if they choose to quote me as deviant i'm happy since that how everyone knows me (and it's just cooler) but if they cite me as brian then that makes the general viewing public less likely to think of picking as some criminal past time. probably six of one, half a dozen of the other on the matter.
            "I'll admit I had an OiNK account and frequented it quite often… What made OiNK a great place was that it was like the world's greatest record store… iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up. I feel like I'm being hustled when I visit there, and I don't think their product is that great. DRM, low bit rate, etc... OiNK it existed because it filled a void of what people want."
            - Trent Reznor

            Comment

            • Nikita
              Member
              • Apr 2006
              • 763

              #7
              Re: just got interviewed for local news

              Awesome, well I hope they do your charm and good nature justice and don't report like late night cnn. :-) I'm glad you got the oppertunity to get the word out once again.
              "Haters, gonna hate"

              Comment

              • TheCotMan
                *****Retired *****
                • May 2004
                • 8857

                #8
                Re: just got interviewed for local news

                Sinner! You spoke to the media! You shall be an outcast, and must wear as scarlet letter! Heh-heh.

                Seriously: it is good that some people out there are willing to speak to the press, and try to get them to understand. From my view, they always screw things up, and I want no part in speaking to them.

                I wish you good luck in getting the results you desire. :-)

                Comment

                • astcell
                  Human Rights Issuer
                  • Oct 2001
                  • 7512

                  #9
                  Re: just got interviewed for local news

                  I think they already have the story in mind they want to write, and by interviewing you they will confirm the parts they want to confirm. Good luck!

                  Comment

                  • valkyrie
                    Member
                    • Jan 2006
                    • 360

                    #10
                    Re: just got interviewed for local news

                    Originally posted by Deviant Ollam
                    there actually was one instance where i worried about that... a couple times the reporter would pose questions hypothetically asking what would happen if someone with this hobby decided on a life of crime. i responded to one question sort of along these lines... "so, you're saying what if i hypothetically became a criminal? well, i or any other criminal wouldn't pick locks because criminals don't pick locks... if someone wants to get into your house illegally they'll smash a window or kick in the door"

                    i was worried about them trying to use the "i or any other ciminal" line out of context. but geez, it would be really unscroupulous and unprofessional of them to outright fabricate the dialogue like that.

                    as for names, they originally were introduced to me (and i originally interacted with them) as "deviant ollam"... however they do have my actual name as well. this is predominantly because i don't want the hobby of picking to come across (or be portrayed as) something nefarious. i figure if they choose to quote me as deviant i'm happy since that how everyone knows me (and it's just cooler) but if they cite me as brian then that makes the general viewing public less likely to think of picking as some criminal past time. probably six of one, half a dozen of the other on the matter.
                    So, do we dub this, "The Life of Brian?" :-) *hugs* j/k. Hope it went well.

                    Stay shiny!

                    Valkyrie

                    Comment

                    • Beginner
                      127.0.0.1 is my ip
                      • Aug 2003
                      • 99

                      #11
                      Re: just got interviewed for local news

                      Any way they write it, the public reaction will be VERY VERY interesting. Most of the public (like 3/4) is ALREADY insecure.
                      Plus by having a story like this in the general public REMEMBER: They are also alerting people who will take advantage of this in illegal ways. STUPID ones that would NOT have found out otherwise.

                      That's just MY 2 cents though.
                      "I wash my hands of those who imagine chattering to be knowledge, silence to be ignorance, and affection to be art." -Kahlil Gibran

                      "Half the world is composed of idiots, the other half of people clever enough to take indecent advantage of them." -Walter Kerr

                      Comment

                      • Deviant Ollam
                        Semi-Professional Swearer
                        • May 2003
                        • 3417

                        #12
                        Re: just got interviewed for local news

                        Originally posted by Beginner
                        Plus by having a story like this in the general public REMEMBER: They are also alerting people who will take advantage of this in illegal ways. STUPID ones that would NOT have found out otherwise.
                        i'll have to disagree with you on this point. in fact, it's one of the myths and rumors that we (sportpickers and lock hobbyists) struggle so hard to quash... talking about something publicly does not and will not lead to anyone getting the urge to "try out" a new criminal tactic of which they otherwise weren't aware.

                        there are essentially three classes of people who receive information when it's presented like this...

                        1. people too stupid to comprehend it - these induhviduals are incapable of grasping the concept being portrayed at all. it's either way beyond their level or their brains aren't firing on all cylinders. whether you're talking about the elderly or a junkie... the point is moot as the information goes nowhere with them. (no one wins or loses, matter moot)

                        2. smart and honest people - these are citizens who have no criminal background or aspirations and are hip enough with modern technology and mechanical devices to follow the details of what's being presented. they are benefited (by learning more about protecting themselves and their loved ones) while society is not harmed at all (since they have no criminal desires)

                        3. crafty and dishonest people - here are individuals whom some people consider to be the "danger" factor with respect to disclosing security vulnerabilities. these persons, however, are not benefited by my discussion of lock flaws... they likely already knew of the weaknesses in securty (say, through other nefarious associates) or would have discovered them on their own (since this information is already out there in many forms, both public and private). while some people might think the local teenage hoodlum would see a presentation like this and exclaim "wow! i can open a padlock with a beer can? i can't wait to try it!" they are, in fact, much more likely to grumble "damnit! now people know a padlock can be opened with a beer can... i'll be that next week everyone starts to change what they have attached to their gym lockers." (these people don't benefit... and society still is served by the augmentation of overall security which results)


                        there's a direct parallel to full disclosure mailing lists in the digital world. you post details of a vulnerability (so people know if they're at risk) and perhaps some proof of concept code (so that people know you're not full of shit) but you don't make available precompiled exploit and attack binaries. in much the same way, we mention what specific locks fail to provide adequate security, we even demonstrate that the risks are real... but we don't wander down the street handing pick tools and bypass devices to random strangers.
                        "I'll admit I had an OiNK account and frequented it quite often… What made OiNK a great place was that it was like the world's greatest record store… iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up. I feel like I'm being hustled when I visit there, and I don't think their product is that great. DRM, low bit rate, etc... OiNK it existed because it filled a void of what people want."
                        - Trent Reznor

                        Comment

                        • TheCotMan
                          *****Retired *****
                          • May 2004
                          • 8857

                          #13
                          Re: just got interviewed for local news

                          Originally posted by Deviant Ollam
                          talking about something publicly does not and will not lead to anyone getting the urge to "try out" a new criminal tactic of which they otherwise weren't aware.
                          I don't think that is a defendable position. Do you realize, that proof that this is not true only takes one counter-example, right?

                          Absolutes are frequently false statements, because it only takes one exception to show their failure.

                          Is this a similar statement?:
                          People never improve their techniques as criminals, even when they are shown something new.

                          People do learn. Alarm systems are defeated, and newer systems are built. New criminals *are* being created every day, and new techniques are used to defeat newer systems, and crimes continue to be a problem, so I don't see how you can defend that position. At some point in time, a person who was not a criminal becomes a criminal and *learns* about something new, and then applies that knowledge.

                          3. crafty and dishonest people - here are individuals whom some people consider to be the "danger" factor with respect to disclosing security vulnerabilities. these persons, however, are not benefited by my discussion of lock flaws... they likely already knew of the weaknesses in securty (say, through other nefarious associates) or would have discovered them on their own (since this information is already out there in many forms, both public and private). while some people might think the local teenage hoodlum would see a presentation like this and exclaim "wow! i can open a padlock with a beer can? i can't wait to try it!" they are, in fact, much more likely to grumble "damnit! now people know a padlock can be opened with a beer can... i'll be that next week everyone starts to change what they have attached to their gym lockers." (these people don't benefit... and society still is served by the augmentation of overall security which results)
                          Though you may identify a majority of people, there are people that don't know, or didn't know, who will learn about this-- for those that know and use it, they learn about it somewhere.


                          there's a direct parallel to full disclosure mailing lists in the digital world. you post details of a vulnerability (so people know if they're at risk) and perhaps some proof of concept code (so that people know you're not full of shit) but you don't make available precompiled exploit and attack binaries. in much the same way, we mention what specific locks fail to provide adequate security, we even demonstrate that the risks are real... but we don't wander down the street handing pick tools and bypass devices to random strangers.
                          I don't disagree with the value of discussion. In my view, there is greater benefit in open discussion, than there is loss, *but* I recognize the risk for short-term losses as weaknesses are exposed, and we wait for the next generation of locks (or whatever) to replace the stuff that does not work. (Knowing the state, and government, this can take decades.)

                          Comment

                          • Beginner
                            127.0.0.1 is my ip
                            • Aug 2003
                            • 99

                            #14
                            Re: just got interviewed for local news

                            Yea, you both make some valid points... I just don't trust the general public that much I guess.
                            "I wash my hands of those who imagine chattering to be knowledge, silence to be ignorance, and affection to be art." -Kahlil Gibran

                            "Half the world is composed of idiots, the other half of people clever enough to take indecent advantage of them." -Walter Kerr

                            Comment

                            • Deviant Ollam
                              Semi-Professional Swearer
                              • May 2003
                              • 3417

                              #15
                              Re: just got interviewed for local news

                              Originally posted by TheCotMan
                              In my view, there is greater benefit in open discussion, than there is loss, *but* I recognize the risk for short-term losses as weaknesses are exposed, and we wait for the next generation of locks (or whatever) to replace the stuff that does not work. (Knowing the state, and government, this can take decades.)
                              i see your side of the argument. i suppose i view the trade off as being so very weighted in the "positive outcome" side of things that the potential negatives pale in comparison. you make a very good point, however, that unlike downloadable digital patches, locks and security hardware replacement is a much more involved and time consuming process. there's costs and logistics to retro-fitting which can make it difficult for some.
                              "I'll admit I had an OiNK account and frequented it quite often… What made OiNK a great place was that it was like the world's greatest record store… iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up. I feel like I'm being hustled when I visit there, and I don't think their product is that great. DRM, low bit rate, etc... OiNK it existed because it filled a void of what people want."
                              - Trent Reznor

                              Comment

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