http://toosigma.com/archive/2006-06-21/common-sense-in-short-supply/ far from normal Mon, 21 May 2012 00:22:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 http://toosigma.com/archive/2006-06-21/common-sense-in-short-supply/comment-page-1/#comment-506 BJ Wed, 21 Jun 2006 22:53:30 +0000 http://toosigma.com/archive/2006-06-21/common-sense-in-short-supply/#comment-506 Unfortunately, I don't think that Mr. Scumbag's approach is at all worthy of study or approval. While it's true that his methods proved effective, I personally believe that his success owes far more to the naivete and inexperience of his victims, rather than any skill or insight on his part. Had he coupled this approach by applying more insightful technical skills (e.g. hacking the communications of his "assumed identity" in order to prevent the incongruity of the complete comms breakdown), I might be more impressed. From my perspective, the only really distinguishing characteristic in his scheme is that he actually had the gall (courage?) to undertake it. Unfortunately, I don’t think that Mr. Scumbag’s approach is at all worthy of study or approval. While it’s true that his methods proved effective, I personally believe that his success owes far more to the naivete and inexperience of his victims, rather than any skill or insight on his part. Had he coupled this approach by applying more insightful technical skills (e.g. hacking the communications of his “assumed identity” in order to prevent the incongruity of the complete comms breakdown), I might be more impressed. From my perspective, the only really distinguishing characteristic in his scheme is that he actually had the gall (courage?) to undertake it.

]]> http://toosigma.com/archive/2006-06-21/common-sense-in-short-supply/comment-page-1/#comment-505 Philip Wed, 21 Jun 2006 21:16:25 +0000 http://toosigma.com/archive/2006-06-21/common-sense-in-short-supply/#comment-505 What the perp did here is basic HUMINT. He observed the actions people revealed about themselves, making connections where necessary. Then, he made contact under an assumed identity and extracte more information (pics). This is not to disagree that the college chickies should have known better, but simply to say that the way he did it is pretty textbook. I am always amazed at the schemes people will fall for and such, without any suspicion at all. Wouldn't a gal, just out of curiosity, want to know how a person had a complete communication breakdown (email, IM, cell)? This sort of catastrophic failure is unheard of! Personally, I think intelligence agencies should be looking at this guy to see if they can take his basic approach and train him to use it for some good purpose. What the perp did here is basic HUMINT. He observed the actions people revealed about themselves, making connections where necessary. Then, he made contact under an assumed identity and extracte more information (pics). This is not to disagree that the college chickies should have known better, but simply to say that the way he did it is pretty textbook. I am always amazed at the schemes people will fall for and such, without any suspicion at all. Wouldn’t a gal, just out of curiosity, want to know how a person had a complete communication breakdown (email, IM, cell)? This sort of catastrophic failure is unheard of! Personally, I think intelligence agencies should be looking at this guy to see if they can take his basic approach and train him to use it for some good purpose.

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