RE: login banners

From: Noonan, Wesley (Wesley_Noonanat_private)
Date: Wed Feb 19 2003 - 13:59:23 PST

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    I don't know if this helps at all, but here are some links:
    
    http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/j-043.shtml
    http://lists.insecure.org/lists/security-basics/2002/Dec/0575.html
    http://www.usdoj.gov:80/criminal/cybercrime/s&sappendix2002.htm
    http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=1831&cid=19
    http://www.ouhsc.edu/it/security/policy/login-banner.asp
    http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/a-34.shtml
    http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/a-22.shtml
    
    My opinion, which carries absolutely no legal weight, is that having the
    banners certainly doesn't hamper one's ability to undertake legal action.
    Not having them *might* hamper that ability. Since I don't think I have
    anything to lose by having a good banner, but I might have something to lose
    by not having them, I use and recommend them. Pretty simple, really.
    
    Of course, to be more complex you always have the US 4th amendment which
    states:
    
    Amendment IV
    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and 
    effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated,
    and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or 
    affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the 
    persons or things to be seized.
    
    Which some lawyer would need to speak on with any kind of authority, but as
    I understand it has been used as a basis for defense when people did not
    know that they were being monitored. IOW, not informing a defendant that
    they are being monitored could be considered a 4th amendment violation. Of
    course I am no lawyer and could be talking completely out of my @$$ on this
    point. 
    
    Of course, what discussion of legalities would be complete without...
    
    Neither BMC Software or Wes Noonan makes any warranty, expressed or implied,
    or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy,
    completeness, or usefulness of any information contained in this message.
    
    :-)
    
    Wes Noonan, MCSE/CCNA/CCDA/NNCSS/Security+
    Senior QA Rep.
    BMC Software, Inc.
    (713) 918-2412
    wnoonanat_private
    http://www.bmc.com
    
    
    > -----Original Message-----
    > From: Patrick Kingi [mailto:Patrick.Kingiat_private]
    > Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 18:55
    > To: pen-testat_private
    > Subject: login banners
    > 
    > Greetings all,
    > 
    > It has been standard practice to ensure systems ensure their login banners
    > warn the users that unauthorised access is not allowed, your activity may
    > be
    > logged etc...
    > 
    > A client has asked if there is any evidence that this really matters. I
    > heard a story once upon a time that a hacker did not get prosecuted
    > because
    > the login banner said something like "Welcome to your friendly
    > neighborhood
    > computer". Is this an urban legend?
    > 
    > Does anyone have any evidence that the login banner has been used in
    > court?
    > 
    > Any help would be appreciated.
    > 
    > regards,
    > Patrick
    > 
    > 
    > --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    > --
    > 
    > Do you know the base address of the Global Offset Table (GOT) on a Solaris
    > 8
    > box?
    > CORE IMPACT does.
    > www.securityfocus.com/core
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Do you know the base address of the Global Offset Table (GOT) on a Solaris 8
    box?
    CORE IMPACT does.
    http://www.securityfocus.com/core
    



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