[massimoto]

Legally and ethically extremely dubious, hooked up to the box in your apartment, I can understand it. Hooked to the shared door controller, handing out access "keys" to all your friends, not great. You seem to know this based on all your attempts to avoid discovery.

[neilv]

That and more, IIUC. They've:

* Given access to more people or other ways.

* Bypassed any logging that might be used during crime investigation.

* May have increased the likelihood of the system failing.

* (more theoretical) Increased the attack surface, and invited more crimes of digital opportunity.

So they may be partly or wholly responsible for some bad things that happen.

And also may be held responsible by others, with criminal and civil liability.

> [...] so if you’re in the same position as Frank, give it a try!

Don't, if you're in the same position (i.e., sneakily doing it to landlord's access control box, which is relied upon by multiple other neighbors).

But if you're in some different position -- such as it's your own property, and there's some kind of informed consent of all legitimate parties affected -- then kludging the system, by splicing a solenoid wire, might be good and appropriate.

[netsharc]

This place is "Hacker" in name, but not in spirit...

[natpalmer1776]

A lot of us grew up and realized that while we avoided many of the consequences of our actions, some of our peers did not. Thus the caution (and concern for other uninvolved parties)

Personally, I’m of the opinion that this kind of thing should be done by those who understand the risks and accept them regardless. It’s fun and interesting, and in the real world it will almost certainly never be an issue.

[IncreasePosts]

It's unethical to increase the risk profile of unaware third parties because you're a hacker.

I'd be fine installing this in my own house, but it shouldn't go in a shared space.

in fact, I've done something similar, wiring my unifi door bell to be able to unlock my matter-enabled deadbolt via an esp32 in the wall.

[pesus]

There has always been ethical and unethical hacking (and shades of gray in between).

[shepherdjerred]

I totally agree provided Frank lives in some maximum-security apartment complex with armed guards. Otherwise I think you'd making a big deal out of nothing.

Anyone can get into a complex by following someone else in.

Or, in this case, just power the solenoid wire that is _already outside_ as the OP did.

[4fterd4rk]

Meanwhile out here in the real world no one gives two shits and if it was ever discovered a simple "what? I have no idea what you're talking about." would provide all the cover needed.