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besson3c · 01:18 PM

How do you do this?

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard people say "well, I don't really need to worry because I don't store credit card data or anything of value on this computer"... Wrong, wrong, wrong!! This way of thinking is extremely dangerous and expensive for us all.

There is big money in spam, and a lot of this spam occurs from compromised machines via botnets and such. These spammers do not care AT ALL about your vacation pictures or even whether or not you have sensitive data on your machine. Using somebody else's murder utensil, so to speak, is always more desirable than using your own. If you are in a very low-profile computing environment, this might actually be of *more* value to spammers, because less attention will be paid to these machines.

The other myth is that this doesn't happen often enough for it to be of concern, which is also quite wrong. Our security department at the university deals with these sorts of issues daily, a staggering amount of Windows PCs are compromised by Spyware (I think I remember reading that the majority of Windows PC users have been compromised at least once), make no mistake, all of this happens.

However, we also happen to know that our local ISP is pretty negligent. They seem to feel that as long as the activities of computer users on their network aren't affect them or other users on the LAN, meh... What can we do if ISPs are not willing to police their own networks?

How do we change all of this? How do we get people take seriously the fact that if their machine is on a public network, they have a responsibility to take care of it. Do we get ISPs to start blocking machines more aggressively? How do we deal with computers in other countries? Do we force adoption of IPv6 and use MAC addresses as a form of identity? If so, what do we do about people who want to be behind a NAT/router of some sort? Maybe we force everybody to put their machines behind a router? Do we or should we force anything?

IT Security is one of the biggest challenges that will continue to face us in the coming years. It's no longer about people trying to break into banks and the other high-profile obvious stuff, but any computer on any public network. Spam is costing companies literally millions of dollars. Here at this university, we process about 3 million messages a day, and have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on all this hardware.

Would you be willing to make any sacrifices with how you use your computer or manage your networks, or is this simply a matter of education?

mitchell_pgh · May 25, 2007, 01:19 PM

Education is the key. You need to educate the people that storing your credit card information is only the tip of the iceberg.

besson3c · May 25, 2007, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

Education is the key. You need to educate the people that storing your credit card information is only the tip of the iceberg.

And how can we do this when most people either don't give a **** or don't want to take this seriously?

Dakarʒ · May 25, 2007, 01:23 PM

I knew who started this thread by title alone.

Congrats bess, you've become the marden of computing.

besson3c · May 25, 2007, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

I knew who started this thread by title alone.

Congrats bess, you've become the marden of computing.

Maybe if I was personally afraid of everything you could say that?

SpaceMonkey · May 25, 2007, 01:26 PM

Make sure their network isn't running OS X Server.

I kid, I kid.

More seriously, I feel that plain text should be the default on any email program.

besson3c · May 25, 2007, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

Make sure their network isn't running OS X Server.

I kid, I kid.

More seriously, I feel that plain text should be the default on any email program.

You mean should not be, right?

Dakarʒ · May 25, 2007, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Maybe if I was personally afraid of everything you could say that?

Not that I think you are, but that statement is pretty funny in a thread about computer security.

Rumor · May 25, 2007, 01:30 PM

Besson3c, link to several articles and quote long pieces from them.

besson3c · May 25, 2007, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

Not that I think you are, but that statement is pretty funny in a thread about computer security.

True...

Isn't there something about the world you want to change Dakar, or do you prefer to be publicly neutral about everything? I just find logging into a forum to agree with the status quo pretty boring, if you ask me. Just me though... (not saying that I'm attempting to describe you here).

Rumor · May 25, 2007, 01:33 PM

Don't forget to mention that the jihadist hackers are coming.

besson3c · May 25, 2007, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Rumor

Besson3c, link to several articles and quote long pieces from them.

Well, Islomfacists are going to take over the world:

Shiite Cleric Appears in Iraq After Stay in Iran

They have a different view of the world, and your children should be afraid that America is being challenged by these leaders who want no part in a civilized world:

Immigration Bill Provisions Gain Wide Support in Poll

Our best chance is to support everything George Bush does and trust him to protect us from Global Jihadists.

OCEAN BEACH, N.Y. — The Pressman family’s summer house lurched back to life the other day, as it does every year at this time, but not without protest. The upstairs faucet hissed like a cobra and the hot water heater emitted deep, intestinal burps. A burner on the stove clicked, clicked, clicked, then burst into a blue ring of flame. The answering machine awoke and delivered its news: two calls since Columbus Day.
Skip to next paragraph
Summer Rituals

This is the first in a weekly series, running through Labor Day weekend, on what makes summer summer for people in and around New York.
Enlarge This Image
Robert Stolarik for The New York Times

For the past 35 years, John Shaffner of Love the Plumber has opened and closed seasonal homes.

From the sopping wet crawl space under the house came a sour commentary on the proceedings. Pat Oliver, a plumber with a long gray mustache, had spent an hour and a half down there, in a space maybe two feet high, inching himself forward with his elbows. In the cold, with rainwater pooling around him, he looked for leaks that had opened up in the pipes during the off-season. Occasionally he wriggled out to empty wet sand from his pockets.

“I need courage,” said Mr. Oliver, 55. “Courage in a can.”

The scene was repeating itself all over Fire Island on the eve of Memorial Day, when the hyperventilating scramble of the island’s workforce gives way to the blissful exhalation of its summer residents.

Dakarʒ · May 25, 2007, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Isn't there something about the world you want to change Dakar, or do you prefer to be publicly neutral about everything?

Am I publicly neutral on everything? Interesting...

Originally Posted by besson3c

I just find logging into a forum to agree with the status quo pretty boring, if you ask me. Just me though... (not saying that I'm attempting to describe you here).

Oh I don't care if you are. It's not like I seriously think you're marden-like, other than your threads have a theme and you're pretty adamant abut your position.

Dakarʒ · May 25, 2007, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Rumor

Don't forget to mention that the jihadist hackers are coming.

Or Steve Jobs and his GUI-based strategy are undermining our future generations' ability to compute.

besson3c · May 25, 2007, 01:38 PM

Not saying you're publicly neutral about everything, but you and Gossamer seem to have taken a liking to arm chair critiquing many different threads with your brand of sarcasm, and seem to do much more of this than creating your own threads and putting your own ideas out for our scrutiny and under-the-microscope examination.

Not a big deal, I understand not wanting to get emotionally invested here and all that, doesn't bother me at all... Just an observation.

Rumor · May 25, 2007, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Not saying you're publicly neutral about everything, but you and Gossamer seem to have taken a liking to arm chair critiquing many different threads with your brand of sarcasm, and seem to do much more of this than creating your own threads and putting your own ideas out for our scrutiny and under-the-microscope examination.

Not a big deal, I understand not wanting to get emotionally invested here and all that, doesn't bother me at all... Just an observation.

*ahem*

Dakarʒ · May 25, 2007, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Not saying you're publicly neutral about everything, but you and Gossamer seem to have taken a liking to arm chair critiquing many different threads with your brand of sarcasm, and seem to do much more of this than creating your own threads and putting your own ideas out for our scrutiny and under-the-microscope examination.

I can flatly admit I don't create threads because mine suck.

My raging success as a thread starter was a complaint about Orange Juice pulp. That netted two whole pages.

Originally Posted by besson3c

Not a big deal, I understand not wanting to get emotionally invested here and all that, doesn't bother me at all... Just an observation.

I try to limit my serious discussion to things I feel I am knowledgeable about.

Otherwise, if its an opinion topic and I like the subject, I'm in. (See: Gaming, movies, cars...)

besson3c · May 25, 2007, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

I try to limit my serious discussion to things I feel I am knowledgeable about.

Otherwise, if its an opinion topic and I like the subject, I'm in. (See: Gaming, movies, cars...)

Well, I don't know much about Kikkoman soy sauce...

Dakarʒ · May 25, 2007, 01:47 PM

Yeah, you'll notice I didn't harass you there.

Dakarʒ · May 25, 2007, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Rumor

*ahem*

Just so you don't feel left out.

So... there's an opening for Trusted Lieutenant in my Organization.

besson3c · May 25, 2007, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

Yeah, you'll notice I didn't harass you there.

So it would be better if I didn't know too much about computer security?

Dakarʒ · May 25, 2007, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

So it would be better if I didn't know too much about computer security?

I am tired of your scare tactics.

Like I said, it wasn't a serious indictment. But a serious-sounding thread about a computer issue in the Lounge? You're the only person I know that does that.

besson3c · May 25, 2007, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

I am tired of your scare tactics.

Like I said, it wasn't a serious indictment. But a serious-sounding thread about a computer issue in the Lounge? You're the only person I know that does that.

I like debating some stuff on forums like this one and I honestly struggle trying to figure out why. I also like being funny and weird, and also enjoy it when people flip out over a signature that is too large and stuff.

I waste so much time in here and often regret it that I've decided to not seek out another forum (other than Fuzzy Wombat which was just given a whole new makeover

) so that I do not make matters worse.

So, you guys are stuck with me until it is no longer fun.

Dakar, have you ever poured KIKKOMAN soy sauce on your genitals?

Dakarʒ · May 25, 2007, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

I like debating some stuff on forums like this one and I honestly struggle trying to figure out why.

Because it's meaningless. I can walk away at anytime.

besson3c · May 25, 2007, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

Because it's meaningless. I can walk away at anytime.

Just like you walked away from my question

Rumor · May 25, 2007, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

Just so you don't feel left out.

So... there's an opening for Trusted Lieutenant in my Organization.

I don't fit into strict ranks very well. I prefer to be a rougish wanderer. Thanks though.

I'm sure you can find four more to reach around your five.

Dakarʒ · May 25, 2007, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Rumor

I don't fit into strict ranks very well. I prefer to be a rougish wanderer. Thanks though.

A freelance. That's how I got my start.

Originally Posted by Rumor

I'm sure you can find four more to reach around your five.

This sounds dirty. Perhaps because I have no idea what you're saying.

besson3c · May 25, 2007, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

This sounds dirty. Perhaps because I have no idea what you're saying.

I think it has something to do with you having sex with your sister.

Dakarʒ · May 25, 2007, 02:29 PM

You're probably right. That's rumor's fantasy about everyone.

Rumor · May 25, 2007, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

You're probably right. That's rumor's fantasy about everyone.

Only when I sex up the good looking sisters. Other times, I feel dirty.

Rumor · May 25, 2007, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

This sounds dirty. Perhaps because I have no idea what you're saying.

testies testies

one...

two...

five

besson3c · May 25, 2007, 02:33 PM

Yeah, but you misread what I said:

I think it has something to do with you having sex with your sister.

Dakar having sex with his own sister, not you having sex with Dakar's sister.

Rumor · May 25, 2007, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Yeah, but you misread what I said:

Dakar having sex with his own sister, not you having sex with Dakar's sister.

Where is the fun in that? I'm not a voyeur.

Dakarʒ · May 25, 2007, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Rumor

testies testies

oh.