If you're dedicated, hacking offers all sorts of rewards and threats depending on whose hacking whom. Which brings us to the "Ethical Hacker" ... the Hacktivist whose intentions are well-meaning, intruding just like the other guys but only to expose internet vulnerabilities so that someone far more nefarious doesn't get in there. When Henk Krol tapped into the world of Ethical Hacking he didn't even know the term but he did invite the TV cameras. Now the Dutch MP faces charges that could cost him his career. So what's digital trespassing and what's a public service?

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Ethical Hacking - Dutch MP Henk Krol facing charges for "digital trespassing"

Defending a company's online network from intruders is one reason for entering the so-called "ethical hacking" hacking business. Community colleges and online schools even offer courses in "ethical hacking". But many companies, governments and courts are not impressed with intruders skulking around in private computer systems -- even with the best of intentions.

Last Spring, a Dutch MP recently exposed a security gap in a medical research centre's website. Henk Krol is the leader of the 50 Plus Party, and faces a charge of "digital trespassing." He is due in court on February 1st, but this morning he joined us from his office in The Hague.

Ethical Hacking - Panel

Our next guest is not convinced well-intentioned hackers should always get a free ride. James Smith is the founder of Smithway Security, a company that provides digital security analysis. He is a certified ethical hacker. James Smith was in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

And Gabriella Coleman teaches Hacker Culture and Politics at McGill University. She is this year's Wolfe Chair in Scientific and Technological Literacy there. Her latest book is called Coding Freedom: The Ethics and Aesthetics of Hacking. We reached her in New York this morning.

This segment was produced by The Current's Jessica deMello and Hassan Santur.

Other segments from today's show:

Algerian hostage-taking & gas plant raid (Central Time Zone and West)

Make room in the workplace for people with Autism

Checking-In: Listener Response