Computer Guys | The Kojo Nnamdi Show

Poll results for September 6, 2005

Yelling "FIRE" in a crowded theater should get you arrested if there is no fire, but what if there is a fire? The computer industry is getting increasingly hostile towards anyone who points out security-related defects, threatening whistle blowers with court action and even arrest. What's your take on this situation?

(0%) A. Revealing security-related faults puts us all at risk -- whistle blowers should be prosecuted.

(12%) B. Whistle blowers should not be vigilantes -- they should report defects to the proper authorities, like the government-funded CERT, and let them handle it.

(39%) C. Whistle blowers should first report defects privately and make them public only if there is no action to fix them.

(49%) D. Defects put us all at risk -- the computer industry should be held liable for defects and whistle blowers paid a reward.