This isn't really hacking, it's just using a mail server, for sending mail... The problem is/was that SMTP AUTH was overlooked as a requirement from the original SMTP spec, and the bigger WTF is that it took about 20 years before it was added to the spec.
Edit to add:
"While he was on the computer I shut off all the power on the floor." - Because everyone can just stand there and shut all the power off on a floor... if it were indeed a 'hack' then give more specifics, if it's flipping the switch on a breaker... well... that's just that.
Kids these days. This isn't "hacking into MTV.com".
If "hacking" were equivalent to "breaking into someone's house, making yourself a breakfast, cleaning up and leaving without taking anything and anyone noticing you were there", then this is more like "ringing the doorbell and running away". Just sayin'....
If that is the case, then the title is pure link bait; the article wasn't about MTV.com; and the closest to a hack is the social engineering (to whatever degree) used to get the friend to the MTV beach house.
There was nothing illegal as far as entering... he used a mail server for what it was intended for. The impersonation of the MTV legal team is a different story, but it would not constitute a hack in my opinion.
why are all this guys articles on the front page of hn? They're just pointless crap not worth reading that culminate in "follow me on twitter I'm a super cool guy".
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[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 33.8 ms ] threadEdit to add:
"While he was on the computer I shut off all the power on the floor." - Because everyone can just stand there and shut all the power off on a floor... if it were indeed a 'hack' then give more specifics, if it's flipping the switch on a breaker... well... that's just that.
If "hacking" were equivalent to "breaking into someone's house, making yourself a breakfast, cleaning up and leaving without taking anything and anyone noticing you were there", then this is more like "ringing the doorbell and running away". Just sayin'....