Operation Weather

3. Catching Hackers (and charging them) is almost impossible,

you have to virtually break into their premises and catch them

logged on to an unauthorised machine. 4. If you do happen to catch and charge them, the cost of prosecu-

tion is high, and a successful outcome is by no ways assured.

There may be some deterrent value in at least catching and

prosecuting? 5. Continued pursuit of people involved requires doors to be left

open, this unfortunately exposes other sites and has subjected

us to some criticism. The whole issue is very complex, and in some respects it is a case of diminishing returns. A fine balance has to be maintained between freedom, and the prevention of abuse, this appears to be the challenge. Allan Young RMIT

'Yeah, I mean, this RMIT guy is basically saying they are not going to catch us anyway, so why are they wasting all this time and money?'

'Yep. The Feds were in there for at least three months,' Prime Suspect said. 'Sounded more like nine months though.'

'Hmm. Yeah, nothing we didn't know already though.'

'Pretty obvious, leaving those accounts open all the time like they did. I reckon that looked pretty suspicious, even if we hadn't gotten the email.'

'Definitely,' Mendax agreed. 'Lots of other hackers in RMIT too. I wonder if they figured it out.'

'Hmm. They're gonna be screwed if they haven't been careful.'

'I don't think the Feds have gotten anyone though.'

'Yeah?' Prime Suspect asked.

'Well, if they had, why would they leave those accounts open? Why would RMIT keep a full-time staff person on?'

'Doesn't make sense.'