motd stands for “message of the day” and it’s the message that you see when you login to a unix-like system via ssh, telnet, the console, etc. Some people like to put cute sayings or “welcome” messages, but if I’m setting up a server for someone else, I generally want to put a less friendly motd in place.
I’m not a lawyer, but I imagine that one of the messages below might have more weight when trying to prosecute a cracker than one that says “hi, welcome to my server!”. Anyway, I’m always searching for them when I need them, so I figured I’d post a few that I’ve found and used in the past. If you have any other ones, add them below.
======================= W A R N I N G ========================== THIS SYSTEM IS RESTRICTED TO AUTHORIZED USERS FOR AUTHORIZED USE ONLY. UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND MAY BE PUNISHABLE UNDER THE COMPUTER FRAUD AND ABUSE ACT OF 1986 OR OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS. IF NOT AUTHORIZED TO ACCESS THIS SYSTEM, DISCONNECT NOW. BY CONTINUING, YOU CONSENT TO YOUR KEYSTROKES AND DATA CONTENT BEING MONITORED. ALL PERSONS ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE USE OF THIS SYSTEM CONSTITUTES CONSENT TO MONITORING AND AUDITING.
This server is for the exclusive use of staff and students of xxx. Anyone attempting to gain, or gaining access other than as specifically authorized will be prosecuted under all applicable statutes plus all applicable civil rules for damages.