[ryandrake]

This kind of story makes me wonder what's the most popular/valuable domain I can take control of simply by being convincing over the phone. Sounds tempting!

I can't even log in to most web sites anymore without doing a side-trip to my E-mail inbox, "for enhanced security," but these clowns let you just take a domain by asking nicely!

[nkrisc]

In many countries that’s probably illegal, even if it’s easy. Just because a crime is easy to commit doesn’t mean it isn’t a crime.

So, keep it hypothetical.

[arendtio]

Honest citizens think like that; others wonder what the punishment is, even if it is illegal. I mean, maybe paying a fine vs maybe getting access to a popular domain?

At least corporations seem to work like that. Not following the law seems completely okay as long as the fine is not X% of their annual turnover.

[paxys]

I can’t think of a jurisdiction where it would not be illegal. The “I was only testing your security, in fact I should get rewarded for it” defense never works outside of nerd fantasies.

[nkrisc]

I agree, it’s likely illegal in any modern state with rule of law. But I don’t actually know that for sure.

[jacobgkau]

Be careful, I assume there are laws on the books that normal people wouldn't know about but a large enough target could use if you tried to pull this on them (or you could find yourself on the receiving end of a civil lawsuit).