cut my losses or stick to my guns ?

[TurricanII]

Agree with Mark! Suck it up. Try to spot these less common systems. There is no shame in calling the POS company for help, assuming the client has a support contract.

..One guy wouldn't let me back into his house to get his router so I logged into it from outside and changed all the settings.

Obviously you don't give full details, and I am not trying to poke you in the eye, but in situations where we really want to remote in and trash something that was not paid for then we professionals must be wary of accessing systems without authorisation.. In the UK you are not allowed to even ATTEMPT log in without authorisation (Computer Misuse Act 1991). Sounds like Cal. Penal Code § 502 might be the Californian equivalent:

Edited - I quoted the wrong bit but section 502 certainly looks to cover unauthorised access and damage to config:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-01000&file=484-502.9

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Agree with Mark! Suck it up. Try to spot these less common systems. There is no shame in calling the POS company for help, assuming the client has a support contract.


Obviously you don't give full details, and I am not trying to poke you in the eye, but in situations where we really want to remote in and trash something that was not paid for then we professionals must be wary of accessing systems without authorisation.. In the UK you are not allowed to even ATTEMPT log in without authorisation (Computer Misuse Act 1991). Sounds like Cal. Penal Code § 502 might be the Californian equivalent:

Any person who violates paragraph (3)

(3) Knowingly and without permission uses or causes to be used computer services.

(A) For the first violation that does not result in injury, and where the value of the computer services used does not exceed nine hundred fifty dollars ($950), by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-01000&file=484-502.9

Didn't see this down there. It's up to you to make right choices, but imo doing that is asking for trouble. You could theoretically get in trouble for hacking in a case like that. Ultimately, does the guy owe you money? Yes. But it's still the customer's equipment at their premises. Would not want to touch that. It might seem innocent to you, and you may feel like you are getting back at someone but that's not the way to do it. Not only are you possibly breaking the law, but you make yourself at least look unethical. Nevermind the guy never paid you, you could also lose potential clients when he goes around raving about how you broke his equipment.

Not saying you aren't good at what you do and that you don't deserve to be paid, but there are some big do's and don'ts, and that is a big no no. You're lucky the guy didn't report you and you didn't get into trouble.

Edit**Meant for it to get kwest's quote in but it didn't.

 

[kwest]

Agree with Mark! Suck it up. Try to spot these less common systems. There is no shame in calling the POS company for help, assuming the client has a support contract.


Obviously you don't give full details, and I am not trying to poke you in the eye, but in situations where we really want to remote in and trash something that was not paid for then we professionals must be wary of accessing systems without authorisation.. In the UK you are not allowed to even ATTEMPT log in without authorisation (Computer Misuse Act 1991). Sounds like Cal. Penal Code § 502 might be the Californian equivalent:

Edited - I quoted the wrong bit but section 502 certainly looks to cover unauthorised access and damage to config:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-01000&file=484-502.9

It was my router that I sold him and he never paid for. So it was still my equipment.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Another reason to get payment for parts up front. You still probably should not have accessed it, but I do very much hate when people act that way.

 

[kwest]

Yeah tit tat.

It worked out well for me.