Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

katusha

(809 posts)
Thu Oct 14, 2021, 07:06 PM Oct 2021

Governor Wants to Prosecute Journalist Who Clicked 'View Source' on Government Site

Source: vice news

Missouri Governor Mike Parson wants to prosecute a journalist who warned the state that a government website left school teachers and administrators' Social Security numbers exposed.

Parson called St Louis. Post-Dispatch reporter Josh Renaud a “hacker” and vowed to seek criminal prosecution at a press conference on Thursday. Renaud's "crime?" Clicking "view source" on a publicly available webpage.

“The state does not take this matter lightly,” Parson said, according to the Missouri Independent. “This administration is standing up against any and all perpetrators who attempt to steal personal information and harm Missourians.”

Parson said he referred the case to the Cole County Prosecutor and asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol to investigate as well.

Read more: https://www.vice.com/en/article/jg8ynp/governor-wants-to-prosecute-journalist-who-clicked-view-source-on-government-site

26 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Governor Wants to Prosecute Journalist Who Clicked 'View Source' on Government Site (Original Post) katusha Oct 2021 OP
You ain't hackin' when ANYBODY can access that information bucolic_frolic Oct 2021 #1
you're nice SouthernDem4ever Oct 2021 #13
When's he up for election? Grokenstein Oct 2021 #16
It's obvious who the real hack is here.... rlegro Oct 2021 #19
Maybe someone could explain to the esteemed governor Ocelot II Oct 2021 #2
The Governor acts like someone who's 12 yr old grandchild is his IT tech. marble falls Oct 2021 #3
I'll bet the combination on his luggage is 12345. Nt christx30 Oct 2021 #6
And his password? "password" Grokenstein Oct 2021 #17
That is what my combination on my luggage is. Ray Bruns Oct 2021 #21
That is what my combination on my luggage is. Ray Bruns Oct 2021 #22
Reminds me of when Minnesota's Norm Coleman blamed hackers Rocknation Oct 2021 #8
Does the GQP get its candidates from the pool of 3rd grade dropouts???? royable Oct 2021 #4
And speaking of Web code Rocknation Oct 2021 #7
This is what is called... reACTIONary Oct 2021 #5
Irony alert: "redirection" would have saved him Rocknation Oct 2021 #9
+10 nt reACTIONary Oct 2021 #10
The governor is another Republican totalitarian jackass. Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Oct 2021 #11
Isn't That A Tad Redundant? GB_RN Oct 2021 #14
He's an idiot Rebl2 Oct 2021 #12
Parson is the head idiot of the MO GOP idiots Pas-de-Calais Oct 2021 #15
Yes I know Rebl2 Oct 2021 #18
We're Miserians together bruh!! Pas-de-Calais Oct 2021 #20
Parson perfect for Missouri! Gamecock Lefty Oct 2021 #23
After further review, unlocking Omaha Steve Oct 2021 #24
Kick Omaha Steve Oct 2021 #25
LOL! NurseJackie Oct 2021 #26

Grokenstein

(5,722 posts)
16. When's he up for election?
Thu Oct 14, 2021, 09:57 PM
Oct 2021

Anyone would LOVE to have their opponent working this hard for their campaign! "Mike Parson...he really is THAT stupid."

Ocelot II

(115,674 posts)
2. Maybe someone could explain to the esteemed governor
Thu Oct 14, 2021, 07:10 PM
Oct 2021

that clicking "view source" on a website isn't hacking. It's public information about the website. I just did it, come and get me!

Rocknation

(44,576 posts)
8. Reminds me of when Minnesota's Norm Coleman blamed hackers
Thu Oct 14, 2021, 08:04 PM
Oct 2021

for exposing his donors' payment data.

Actually, it was exposed as a result of his IT team not including an index file in the online directory!


Rocknation

royable

(1,264 posts)
4. Does the GQP get its candidates from the pool of 3rd grade dropouts????
Thu Oct 14, 2021, 07:47 PM
Oct 2021

Web designers routinely and purposefully place undisplayed content such as search terms into Web page source code.

Rocknation

(44,576 posts)
7. And speaking of Web code
Thu Oct 14, 2021, 07:59 PM
Oct 2021

A very easy way to reduce your chances of exposing content you don't WANT displayed (especially if they're in root-level directories) is to include an index page that links to your home page via both a physical link and a redirect script.


Rocknation

reACTIONary

(5,770 posts)
5. This is what is called...
Thu Oct 14, 2021, 07:57 PM
Oct 2021

... a "redirection" or a "diversion" tactic. The state screwed up, right royally. But rather than admit it, fix it, and move on, the gov attempts to shoot the messenger.

The gov isn't an idiot. He knows what he's doing. The idiots are the ones who voted for him.

Rocknation

(44,576 posts)
9. Irony alert: "redirection" would have saved him
Thu Oct 14, 2021, 08:07 PM
Oct 2021

if his IT staff (the REAL culprits) had included an index page in the data's online directory that contained a script which "diverted" to the site's home page automatically!


rocktivity

Gamecock Lefty

(700 posts)
23. Parson perfect for Missouri!
Fri Oct 15, 2021, 08:46 AM
Oct 2021

I live west county St Louis and Parson isn't going anywhere. Sad to say.

That's the thing about Republicans either locally or nationwide. They never seem to be held accountable for anything. Red states send reds to congress no matter what they do.

I've seen this state turn solid red from sort-of purple when first moving here in 1992 (left another red state - South Carolina!). What can you do but continue to fight in what seems, at times, to be a losing battle.

But hope springs eternal, right?

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
26. LOL!
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 08:05 AM
Oct 2021

It was pruned too soon and the thread died prematurely. Sad. Maybe another "kick" will help to generate interest again.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Governor Wants to Prosecu...