Crooked Technician Hacked Laptops To Become Peeping Tom

[ProtoChimp]

"...But how do I make them take off their clothes? I know, I'll tell them to expose the pc to steam. That will force them to shower in front of the camera!"

Some people have bizarre thought trains ;/

Hey it worked didn't it?
What a sick, sick man.

 

[similar.squirrel]

It's clearly the women's fault for friend-zoning him. Also, only Wii-playing casualtards don't know how to run showercurtain.exe.

This man is creep, and I hope he has a nice time being justifiable ostracized by everyone.

 

[bootz]

So Steam is taking pics of me when I get killed in BC2. - stupid joke
If i made a pop up that said, "Your electric socket is not functioning, Stick a fork in it to fix it." Omg the population would drop by half. I think thats sad

OT: This guy deserves whats happening to him. Theres many of other outlets for his behavior

 

[ThatDaveDude1]

People getting taken advantage of for being stupid.

I blame both parties equally.

Right. Because blaming the victims of a pervert is a perfectly logical conclusion to make.

(rolls eyes)

If you're dumb enough to believe that showering in the vicinity of your laptop will in any way shape or form repair problems with an "internal sensor" then (A) You shouldn't be using a computer at all, and (B) You lose a great deal of my sympathy for you when things like this happen.

So yeah, I'd say that blaming these people for what their stupidity allowed to happen is a perfectly logical conclusion to make.

No. As I've said before, lack of technological knowledge doesn't equate to stupidity, and it certainly doesn't mean you deserve to have naked pictures of yourself stored on some fat pervert's computer. Believe it or not, a great part of the population is not as technologically savvy as those here on the Escapist, and are open to exploitation as a result. The piece of filth here is to blame entirely for his actions; saying that the victims deserve blame because they were "asking for it" is the type of logic that only morons and creeps follow.

There's a big difference between happening not being technologically literate and not knowing that Computer + Water = Bad. That's literally one of the most basic things that you should know before you even think of owning a computer. It's right up there with "Don't Drop it."

I never said that they were "asking for it" or that the pervert wasn't responsible, all I'm saying is that a bit of personal responsibility comes into play here.

your 'blame the victim' mentality puts you right up there with the kind of people who say that women who wear low cut clothing are asking to be raped.

I disagree completely, both with the idea that women who wear low cut clothing are asking to be raped and with your assertion that my opinion here is even remotely similar to that one.

In the rape scenario, putting some or all of the blame on the victim takes away personal responsibility. In this scenario, holding the women equally accountable does the exact opposite. Rape victims don't willingly comply. Usually, they actively resist the rape. Thusly, the crime can be laid directly at the feet of the rapist. In this scenario, however, the women (however unknowingly of the perverts true intentions) willingly complied. They willingly disrobed in front of a camera because a pop up screen told them that it might possibly be a good idea.

I'm not "blaming the victim," I'm holding the victim accountable for their stupidity. I also hold the pervert accountable.

And just to restate this for the record, yes, I agree that being technologically illiterate in and of itself doesn't equate to stupidity. I'm not saying that these women are stupid because they're technologically illiterate, I'm saying that they're stupid and they're (relatively) technologically illiterate.

AND, I might point out, a hair-brained solution like this isn't actually that far removed from what you do to fix certain technological problems: like forcing a RROD'd Xbox to reset by wrapping it in towels so that the ventilation is blocked off and it overheats. So I think these people can be quite forgiven for believing this kind of advice.

This point I somewhat almost agree with, save for the fact that the "expose it to steam" requests supposedly came from error messages, and there's simply no way that Microsoft themselves would ever recommended something as dangerous and warranty breaking as that. To be fair, I can see why this may not have been the first thing to jump into their heads. They still should have at the very least googled for something like "fix a computer sensor with steam?" before they blindly took advice.

 

[KezzieZ]

Admittedly, it's pretty sad that people would fall for that fake error message but that doesn't lessen my dislike for that creep at all. Whatever happened to professionalism?

 

[Shamanic Rhythm]

There's a big difference between happening not being technologically literate and not knowing that Computer + Water = Bad. That's literally one of the most basic things that you should know before you even think of owning a computer. It's right up there with "Don't Drop it."

I never said that they were "asking for it" or that the pervert wasn't responsible, all I'm saying is that a bit of personal responsibility comes into play here.

No, there's absolutely no difference. You have to understand that to most people a computer is not a complex system of circuits: it's something they deal with in their everyday lives, its an electrical appliance you plug in like any other, so if they can use a hair dryer in the bathroom, they probably figure, why not a computer? Especially when the computer just told them to put it near steam.

I disagree completely, both with the idea that women who wear low cut clothing are asking to be raped and with your assertion that my opinion here is even remotely similar to that one.

In the rape scenario, putting some or all of the blame on the victim takes away personal responsibility. In this scenario, holding the women equally accountable does the exact opposite. Rape victims don't willingly comply. Usually, they actively resist the rape. Thusly, the crime can be laid directly at the feet of the rapist. In this scenario, however, the women (however unknowingly of the perverts true intentions) willingly complied. They willingly disrobed in front of a camera because a pop up screen told them that it might possibly be a good idea.

I'm not "blaming the victim," I'm holding the victim accountable for their stupidity. I also hold the pervert accountable.

And just to restate this for the record, yes, I agree that being technologically illiterate in and of itself doesn't equate to stupidity. I'm not saying that these women are stupid because they're technologically illiterate, I'm saying that they're stupid and they're (relatively) technologically illiterate.

Holding them accountable is the same as blaming them.

This point I somewhat almost agree with, save for the fact that the "expose it to steam" requests supposedly came from error messages, and there's simply no way that Microsoft themselves would ever recommended something as dangerous and warranty breaking as that. To be fair, I can see why this may not have been the first thing to jump into their heads. They still should have at the very least googled for something like "fix a computer sensor with steam?" before they blindly took advice.

Listen pal, it's all well and good for you to say that you know Microsoft would never recommend something like that, but your knowledge comes from years of handling computers, presumably. Give one to someone who doesn't use them that often and they'll believe anything it tells them. Stop labelling them as 'stupid' for not knowing as much as you do. Try looking at the world outside your own shoes for once.

 

[kurupt87]

Lack of knowledge is the definition of stupidity, actually.

Being able to fix a computer and knowing that steam and computers don't mix are two vastly distant distinctions in knowledge. If they don't know that, do they get someone to operate the computer for them too?

No. A lack of knowledge does not stupid make you.

Going by your rule if I ask you what colour my sofa is and you get it wrong, you would then be stupid. That's absurd.

No. Intelligence is having applicable knowledge and applying it to reach the correct, or a reasonable, conclusion; stupidity is having applicable knowledge and failing to apply it.

Applicable knowledge in the case of my sofa would be something like 'what is the most common sofa colour', 'what is my favourite colour' and 'am I a bubbly (bright colour) or a reserved (dull colour) person'.

If you know those things you can throw them into your mental melting pot and come up with a reasonable answer based on knowledge.

These victims are arguably stupid not because they don't know something, they're arguably stupid because they do. They know, like many posters have pointed out, that water and electronics do not mix. They failed to apply this knowledge and question or reject the prompt to steam their computer.

Of course it's something of a moot point as these people are obviously not tech savvy and will trust what their computer tells them. They assume that the computer won't tell them a lie, forgetting (or not knowing/realising) that the computer will do whatever it is programmed to.

That trust was strong enough to get them to do something most of them no doubt thought was surprisingly counter intuitive. It's more an issue of misplaced trust and a lack of confidence than outright stupidity.

 

[tsb247]

I see so many people commenting on the victim's intelligence. It may not be a matter of intelligence, but rather one of irnorance.

Some people just aren't as knowledgeable about electronics as many of us are. Believe me, some people just have never been taught.

Think of it this way. I am an aerospace engineering major. I know a great deal about airplanes and what makes them fly. I am good at math, physics, and am quite literate. However, I know very little about bio-chemistry. If someone were to take me into a bio-chemistry lab and expect me to run even the simplest experiment, I would probably be completely lost. Those people my assume I'm stupid because what comes easily for them would be quite difficult and foreign to me. I just don't understand bio-chemistry. However, the same would be true if I brought them into a wind tunnel and expected them to interpret CFD data.

Some people just don't understand the electronics that they surround themselves with. They work, and many people don't care how or why.

Okay, here's a question then.

If you went into a bio-chemistry lab and they had a bottle of an unknown liquid sitting out with a sign that said "Drink me" on it, would you just pick it up and drink it without question, or would you stop and ask "Hold on, what is this? Is it safe to just pick up and drink like it says on the sign?" If you picked the latter, congratulations, you have common sense. If you picked the former... :\

Not understanding how things work doesn't mean you have to throw common sense to the wind and do whatever comes up in a little pop-up box on the screen. Again, I don't think anyone deserve to get spied on for being stupid, but holy crap they are mighty stupid.

Chemistry class taught me to NEVER drink anything in a lab, and common sense would also dictate NOT to drink it.

Having said that, there is a little bit of common sense on the side of the victims here. Steam is often used for cleaning!

Spoiler: steam cleaner

Granted, it's not a computer, but if someone knows that steam is often used for cleaning, then it's not illogical to make the (albeit incorrect) leap to assume that it could clean a sensor on a computer. However, there is still the matter of the whole electricity + water = bad thing.

 

[FranckN]

Only a really fucking stupid person can look at this and say "They should know better." It happens all the time on these forums. It's why everyone is absolutely astounded by the "casual gaming" nonsense. They are incapable of putting themselves into anyone else's shoes and understanding why the think (or do) the things they do. And, really, if you can't do that, you're a moron.

This is the same thing as with hackers, people just specs their computers to be secure no mater what they do.
The thing is if you want to be safe (in this case on the Internet, but is the same in every day life), you need to do it by yourself, else you are just risking yourself.
For example in daily life you lock the door of your home (i presume) and you don't trust blindly that the police will protect from every person that tries to enter illegally. (my English is not very good, by I expect to had been clear enough)

 

[Lenin211]

Taking advantage of mentally challenged people is just sad.

 

[jFr[e]ak93]

His personal website and <a href=https://twitter.com/#%21/trevorharwell>Twitter account have been taken down from the Web, too, as has his <a href=https://profiles.google.com/trevor.harwell/about>Google profile.

So you give us links to sites that you know have already been taken down?
Nice

Hahahahahahah that's good

 

[GrayJester]

Somebody please explain to me: why shower?! Is that the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word "steam"? Seriously, why not just heat kettle or pan full of water? WHY?!

Spoiler

 

[Saikonate]

I'm pretty certain everyone in this thread calling the victims stupid would be singing a different tune if the story was about an auto mechanic who overcharged people by telling them their left cylinder was misfiring or some shit. The only reason you're saying "these idiots!" is because you know enough about the subject that it seems obvious. You can say "oh, they should've known", and maybe that's true, but - and this is key - blaming the victims of exploitation for the exploitation always makes you a shithead.

 

[Kopikatsu]

Lack of knowledge is the definition of stupidity, actually.

Being able to fix a computer and knowing that steam and computers don't mix are two vastly distant distinctions in knowledge. If they don't know that, do they get someone to operate the computer for them too?

No. A lack of knowledge does not stupid make you.

Going by your rule if I ask you what colour my sofa is and you get it wrong, you would then be stupid. That's absurd.

No. Intelligence is having applicable knowledge and applying it to reach the correct, or a reasonable, conclusion; stupidity is having applicable knowledge and failing to apply it.

Applicable knowledge in the case of my sofa would be something like 'what is the most common sofa colour', 'what is my favourite colour' and 'am I a bubbly (bright colour) or a reserved (dull colour) person'.

If you know those things you can throw them into your mental melting pot and come up with a reasonable answer based on knowledge.

These victims are arguably stupid not because they don't know something, they're arguably stupid because they do. They know, like many posters have pointed out, that water and electronics do not mix. They failed to apply this knowledge and question or reject the prompt to steam their computer.

Of course it's something of a moot point as these people are obviously not tech savvy and will trust what their computer tells them. They assume that the computer won't tell them a lie, forgetting (or not knowing/realising) that the computer will do whatever it is programmed to.

That trust was strong enough to get them to do something most of them no doubt thought was surprisingly counter intuitive. It's more an issue of misplaced trust and a lack of confidence than outright stupidity.

Stupidity is a lack of intelligence, understanding, reason, wit, or sense.

Therefore, by not understanding/knowing how their computer works, they are stupid.

That's the definition of the word. Sorry to burst your bubble on that, but...yeah. The dictionary calls them stupid.

 

[senordesol]

It truly, truly saddens me how many are all too willing to blame the victims. No amount of ignorance, no matter how 'obvious' to some of us, means someone deserves to be violated. We can say this is a good example of WHY more people should be more computer/electronics literate, but it is the apex of assholery to suggest that someone should be PUNISHED or VIOLATED for not being so.

Simple ignorance, however, is not stupidity. Stupidity is a failure to retain information no matter how many times one is told (strictly speaking). I've met stupid people, and I feel more sorry for them than ignorant people. Stupid people can't help what they are.

 

[i7omahawki]

Lack of knowledge is the definition of stupidity, actually.

Being able to fix a computer and knowing that steam and computers don't mix are two vastly distant distinctions in knowledge. If they don't know that, do they get someone to operate the computer for them too?

No. A lack of knowledge does not stupid make you.

Going by your rule if I ask you what colour my sofa is and you get it wrong, you would then be stupid. That's absurd.

Blue?

I think you're reducing my statement a bit too much. I didn't say a lack of any one particular piece of knowledge makes you stupid, I said a lack of knowledge is stupidity. This could be interpreted as you did, but leads to absurdity so fast you'd be hard pressed to think anyone could believe that.

No, a lack of knowledge where the knowledge is lacking, as in the lack is felt, or shown, not simply absent. My not knowing your sofa colour (I'm supposing I didn't guess right) wouldn't make itself known save for this single instance. If you didn't know your sofa colour (a better example perhaps being your name, age, nationality), people would think you were stupid, because it would be lacking.

No. Intelligence is having applicable knowledge and applying it to reach the correct, or a reasonable, conclusion; stupidity is having applicable knowledge and failing to apply it.

Applicable knowledge in the case of my sofa would be something like 'what is the most common sofa colour', 'what is my favourite colour' and 'am I a bubbly (bright colour) or a reserved (dull colour) person'.

If you know those things you can throw them into your mental melting pot and come up with a reasonable answer based on knowledge.

These victims are arguably stupid not because they don't know something, they're arguably stupid because they do. They know, like many posters have pointed out, that water and electronics do not mix. They failed to apply this knowledge and question or reject the prompt to steam their computer.

I'd argue against this too. If they don't apply it, in what sense do they know it? Maybe as a fact, perhaps, but I wouldn't consider that knowledge. Knowing something means applying it, or having the ability to apply it.

Anyway, enough with epistemology, those people were clearly stupid and/or ignorant.

 

[Goofguy]

Honestly, I'm NOT surprised that people would fall for this. I know a few people who are just so utterly clueless when it comes to computers that they could pretty much fall for any completely bogus lie you make up. I'm sure those women assumed they could trust the tech guy and everything he said about computers because come on... he's THE tech guy. For a technophobe, computers themselves are scary things let alone the error message that pops up at 10 at night when no one is around to fix it.

This guy didn't just prey on the women but he preyed on their fears and their inexperience with computers.

 

[tsb247]

Lack of knowledge is the definition of stupidity, actually.

I would argue that the definition of stupidity is:

The unwillingness to learn and/or willful ignorance of knowledge gained from prior experience.

If you get burned by touching a hot burner (not red hot) on your stove that you did not know was on, that is not stupidity. You lacked the knowledge that the burner was turned on in the first place and there was no way you could have known it was active.

Stupidity is, having experienced the above scenario, getting burned again because you either A.) did not bother to check the burner before touching it or B.) simply slapping your hand on it because you were curious.

The victims here weren't stupid. They were simply ignorant. Ignorance =/= stupidity. They did not know how their computers worked, and relied on someone acting in a professional capacity to give them advice.

If this story proves anything, it's that we should maintain a healthy skepticism of those we trust to fix our problems for us; be they broken electrical devices or busted air-conditioners.

 

[Jesus Phish]

This chap should be given a reward for uncovering the stupidity of women who feel for his plan and actually thought it would be a good idea to take their laptop into a steamy room, leave it on, and leave it open so the camera would view them.