Absolutely ridiculous.... a few things:
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As school districts across the nation struggle to keep networks secure from mischievous students who are often more adept at computers than their elders, technology professionals say the case offers multiple lessons.
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Yes, but that does not excuse ignorance in the elders. You took something that you knew little about, gave it to someone who knew more, and expected them to only do the things you expected? How naive would you have to be?
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But those barriers proved easily surmountable: The administrative password that allowed students to reconfigure computers and obtain unrestricted internet access was easy to obtain. A shortened version of the school's street address, the password was taped to the backs of the computers.
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WHAT BARRIERS? YOU TAPED THE PASSWORD TO THE BACK OF THE COMPUTER. I mean come on-- that's a security barrier? Not only is it common data (an address) but it's TAPED TO THE COMPUTER.
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The administrative password on some laptops was subsequently changed but some students got hold of that one, too, and decrypted it with a password-cracking program they found on the internet.
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This is definitely not appropriate, and I feel that they finally crossed the line with this move. It's not just "using what you're given" it's creating something to BREAK something someone is protected. Since they left the password laying around, that's their fault. But if you have to decrypt (read: break in) to their password, then you're doing something illegal.
As for the felony, I'm not really sure about it. I don't equate it with violent crimes or thefts, but it could cause serious damage. I think this is another case where it should evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Downloading porn and breaking a password is not a felony, to me. A strong lesson should be given, yes... but a felony? The student is right in saying that it will destroy his future job/career simply because administrators weren't bright enough to not tape the password to the back of the computer.
Lots of community service, maybe a fine.. but a felony?
Maybe I'm trumpeting my own horn here, but this is the first in many lawsuits that will point out that old laws do not apply to the technology of today. Laws regarding copyright, access, and data policies are quickly showing their age in our "Information Revolution." Even the "access without permission" clause is vague.. in the oblique verbiage of the laws, I could be charged with the crime for altering data on my OWN computer.