Hello Ed, 

EK> What it proves is Todd Cockrans BBS is still unsecure allowing
EK> anyone to Telnet In then Relay Out to another system.  This
EK> method hides there true IP Address.

EK> And this is nothing new.. It's been going on for some time now. 
EK> There is no legitimate reason for someone with Telnet web access 
EK> to Telnet into a system just to Telnet back out elsewhere.

Some people have good reasons to hide their personal information 
from others.  You have no way of guaranteeing how others will respond
to something they read in these echoes.  Our newspapers are filled
with stories of people reacting violently to things that they don't 
like.  What little anonymity is afforded by our hiding personal 
information from view can be considered a safety measure, a layer 
of protection.  Many people respond with the same question time and
time again: "What have you got to hide?"  These same people will 
argue "you shouldn't be worried, if you have nothing to hide."
I came across a reply to this insanity which, in my mind, puts some
of these things into perspective.  Here it is:

> TO EVERYONE WITH "NOTHING TO HIDE": 
> 
> Please post here your full name, address, social security number, 
> any credit card numbers you have with their expiration date(s), 
> mother's maiden name, names and ages of your children and 
> where they go to school, complete medical history, 
> bank account numbers and where the bank is located, and 
> where you keep the spare key to your house. 
> 
> if you don't want to post this information, i can install some
> software that secretly monitors everything you do on your computer. 
> don't worry, it's ok, i'm with the government, and after all, 
> you have nothing to hide, right? 
> 
> i thought so. 

I copied this post without making note of where I'd found it.
That's not something I usually do.  I like to give credit to the 
sources of the things I post.  I like to point people to the pages
where they can find more information.  The above post appears to 
have come from a forum where spyware was being discussed.  I've 
been visiting many sites where this threat to our privacy is 
marketed and/or discussed.  This writer appears to be responding 
in particular to the government's use of spyware, possibly that
version known as "Magic Lantern."  But there are many forms of 
spyware and it's being legally sold by many companies to thousands
of people.  A lot of invective is directed at the government for
its use of spyware and its attempts to establish "big brother" 
databases.  But, in a world where privatization is a driving force,
the real threat to our privacy and security may be coming from 
individuals and corporations who act without regard for our concerns.
For that reason, quoting the Fourth Amendment is of little value.
The Fourth Amendment has no bearing on the actions of foreign agents
accessing the Internet and our personal information from distant shores.
The Fourth Amendment has to do with rights as pertains to government
and restrictions on same.  Of what concern is the Fourth Amendment to
you or Ross Cassell or Todd Cochrane?  Heck, this is a forum for 
discussion where "anything goes," right?  Have at this, then:

> 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. 

Are you familiar with "Magic Lantern" and other forms of spyware?
Did you hear about the recent act of Congress that expanded the power
of the FBI and other intelligence agencies?  It happened just 
before Thanksgiving.  Maybe you missed it.  I'll post an article
for you to consider.  However, the point here is that the Fourth 
Amendment, as I understand it, and I admit my understanding of such 
things is indeed poor, applies to restrictions on government and
our right to be "secure" in our homes and so forth.  It seems 
useless to argue Fourth Amendment rights when someone such as
Ross Cassell is attempting to learn about our personal information,
information which could be used to do us harm.  We, as individuals,
should have the right to determine how much personal information
is made available to others.  

...
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