news.volyx.in

Peter Eckersley has died (community.letsencrypt.org)

846 points by dredmorbius · 1468 days ago · 65 comments on HN

Article summary

Peter Eckersley, a co-founder of Let's Encrypt and a prominent figure in the field of computer security, has passed away at the age of 44. He was a key player in the development of several important projects, including Let's Encrypt, Certbot, and HTTPS Everywhere. Eckersley's work focused on improving internet security and privacy, and he was also involved in research on artificial intelligence and its ethics. He will be remembered for his significant contributions to the field of computer science and his commitment to making the internet a safer and more secure place.

Main themes

  • Peter Eckersley's legacy
  • Let's Encrypt and internet security
  • Artificial intelligence and ethics
  • Extended Validation certificates
  • Personal memories and anecdotes
  • Impact of Let's Encrypt on the internet

What commenters say

  • The creation of Let's Encrypt has had a profound impact on the security of the internet by making it easy and free to obtain SSL certificates.
  • The deprecation of unencrypted connections by search engines and browsers was enabled by the availability of free SSL certificates from Let's Encrypt.
  • Some commenters have suggested that Let's Encrypt add a special field to their issued certificates in honor of Peter Eckersley's memory, but others have argued that this might not be feasible or desirable.
  • Peter Eckersley's legacy extends beyond his technical contributions to include his commitment to ethics and social responsibility in the field of artificial intelligence.
  • The impact of Let's Encrypt on the security of the internet cannot be overstated, and it has made a significant difference in the lives of many people.
  • Some people have shared personal anecdotes and memories of Peter Eckersley, highlighting his kindness, generosity, and dedication to his work.
  • There are differing opinions on the value of Extended Validation (EV) certificates, with some arguing that they are still useful and others seeing them as unnecessary.
  • Peter Eckersley's work on artificial intelligence and its ethics has been recognized as an important contribution to the field, and his legacy will continue to inspire future research and development.