[extropy-chat] Privacy, Security?? Don't make me laugh.

[Mike Lorrey]

--- BillK <pharos at gmail.com> wrote:

> Security people are increasingly concerned with computer security 
> problems. Unfortunately they have lost the battle. The general public
> now has the technology, but has no time for security or privacy
> worries.
> 
> 
> Nine out of ten computers connected to the internet are infested with
> viruses and spyware. The general public STILL click on email
> attachments, give their data to phishing sites and respond to
> spam offers. They don't install software patches and forget to
> update their antivirus and spyware defences (if they have any
> installed at all, that is).

I highly doubt it is nine out of ten. In my years I've only seen one
person who repeatedly did the things that result in virus infection
without learning her lesson. Most people have anti-virus software
installed, though many don't update it as frequently as they should.

> Thousands upon thousands of zombie pcs are available to use for any
> purpose you want - and the owners don't even know.

Thousands out of tens of millions? Yeah, that sounds about right, but
not millions.

> 
> Open your laptop at any WiFi hotspot, or indeed, pretty much anywhere
> these days, and your helpful software will immediately tell you what
> networks are freely available around you. Most users leave
> their laptops with the default security settings, so you will also
> see
> a list of computers ready and willing to connect to you and let you
> browse through anything on their hard disk. In a hotel room, for
> example, your notebook will automatically connect you to the
> strongest wireless signal it finds – which will often be owned
> by the guest in a room somewhere nearby, and you might well be
> able to wander unrestricted through their hard drive.

People leave the security of their wifi hotspots open because:

a) manufacturers don't program their devices to be both secure and easy
for a consumer to administer.
b) almost nobody is war driving around infecting peoples home systems
through their wifi connections intentionally.

It is my opinion that most viruses are written by three groups:

a) a few irresponsible CS students trying out newly found skills
b) anti-virus company employees ensuring job security
c) script kiddies who follow recipes to make viruses which are rather
easily blocked by existing anti-virus libraries.


=====
Mike Lorrey
Vice-Chair, 2nd District, Libertarian Party of NH
"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom.
It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."
                                      -William Pitt (1759-1806) 
Blog: http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=Sadomikeyism


	
		
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