Avoiding homework with code and getting caught (alistair.blog)

Article summary

A student created scripts to cheat on online homework platforms, including HegartyMaths and Educake, by exploiting vulnerabilities and scraping databases. The student and their friends used these scripts to avoid doing homework and even created a Chrome extension to share the answers with others. The creators of the platforms eventually discovered the cheating and contacted the student, who cooperated and shared their methods to help improve the security of the platforms. The student reflects on the experience as a valuable learning opportunity.

Main themes

• cheating and academic integrity
• online learning platforms
• security and vulnerability
• hacking and exploitation
• education and learning
• cooperation and responsible disclosure

What commenters say

• The student's actions were a creative and resourceful solution to an annoying problem, but also a clear violation of the platforms' terms of service.
• The threat of litigation was implicit in the platforms' response, despite their friendly tone.
• The experience highlights the importance of security and responsible disclosure in the development of online platforms.
• The student's actions were a form of 'educational hacking' that can be a valuable learning experience, but also a potential distraction from actual learning.
• The platforms' response was surprisingly friendly and cooperative, and may have been motivated by a desire to learn from the student's exploits and improve their security.
• The student's story has inspired nostalgia for similar experiences of 'hacking' and cheating in games and other software.
• The incident raises questions about the effectiveness of online learning platforms and the motivations of students who use them.
• The student's cooperation and willingness to share their methods was a key factor in resolving the situation positively.