U.S. Government Offers Free Cyber Alerts

[DuctapeFatwa]

Aiming to increase Internet security, the government is now offering Americans free cyber alerts and computer advice from the Homeland Security Department.

Anyone who signs up with the new National Cyber Alert System will receive e-mails about major virus outbreaks and other Internet attacks as they occur, along with detailed instructions to help computer users protect themselves.

"There is a clear need for this kind of system to be developed," said Amit Yoran, the Bush administration's cyber security chief. "Receiving information from the Department of Homeland Security gives people a certain level of confidence."


The announcement comes 11 months after such an Internet warning system was described in the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, a series of proposals endorsed by the Bush administration and technology industry to improve online security. The alerts will function independently from the Homeland Security Department's well known color-coded system, which reflects the national threat level.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=7&u=/ap/20040128/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/cyber_warnings

[JohnyCanuck]

1. Just watch out when you get an email from them with an attachment

and some directions indicating you must click on the attachment to install official Homeland Security Computer Protector software.

[Democrats unite]

2. I was just thinking the same thing.

eom

[frylock]

6. exactly.. please double-click on magic_lantern.exe..

to install your free virus detector and firewall!!!

[TreasonousBastard]

13. I thought that was hilarious...

when I first heard about it.

Look around and you'll see dozens of companies selling keyloggers. For a few bucks, you can get one and send it to all your friends via an email graphic or web page script. Word macros work well, and your friends probably will open your "virus free" attachments.

Some companies are selling them as ways to spy on your spouse or kids.

So, ummm... just how much taxpayer money went into the FBI developing this "groundbreaking" technology?

[PaDUer]

7. Keith Olberman just said...

you can sign up for these email announcements IF you don't think the govt doesn't have enough information on you and it doesn't come with duct tape. LOL

[pinniped]

9. LOL!

Next phase:

please step forward to receive your microchip.

[GinaMaria]

3. Ever work on a government contract?

Unfortunately I did. Every email and attachment from the government was virus infected. It was a nightmare. Kinda made me laugh to think they could be sending people virus infected virus alerts.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. I think you're better off...

getting it from Symantic.

I don't want Homeland Security any where near my computer.

[LeftHander]

5. Free Microsoft Security Failure and Design Flaw Alerts

is what is should read.

[T Bone]

8. Bush is the Virus

but you knew that.

[thebigidea]

10. where the heck IS the Homeland Security Department, anyway?

Some friends and I tried to call information and find out, and the operator couldn't give us a number or an address in any state.

Which is kind of weird, as you'd imagine a massive new goverment office would at least have a PO box.

At least they have a color chart!

[T Bone]

11. thats too funny - Homeland Security is an unlisted number

?
Good Luck calling in your hot tips boys and girls.

[Whoa_Nelly]

12. No No No

I will not be part of the herd for the Big Brother cattle drive.

[PsychoDad]

14. I Installed it , seems to work...

I received the following e-mail within minutes of installing the New HoSec0023.exe

"Dear Citizen,

Please remain calm. Our software shows a 99.9% chance probability that there is a muslim near your computer.

Please raise your concern to ORANGE. Do not panic.

Look around. Do you see anyone of color? Anyone wearing a beard or head scarf?

Innoculate now before it is too late. Recomended action: Hang the supplied picture of our beloved leader GEORGE W. BUSH standing alongside his faithful and beloved protector of the people, ASHCROFT, above your computer. Kneel before it. REPENT of all LIEberal traits.
Then procede to the closest mass consumer center (MCC), Purchase and consume, as there may be no tommorow. Buy more alcohol and pork, as these have been shown to repel the TERROREST. Consume.

Perchase and comsume in mass quantities until further notice. If cash becomes scarse, use credit. WHATEVER you do, continue to consume. Ask no questions.

Thank you.
Be vigulant, behave.

HoSec Agent
117-33621

:silly:

[DuctapeFatwa]

15. It's a resource hog!

sorry, couldn't resist, PsychoDad, I am laughing too hard!

:bounce:

[pinto]

16. pay no attention to the man behind the screen.........

[Xithras]

17. Lots of air, little new substance

Anyone who works with computer security in an administrative role is probably already familiar with CERT, the federally funded "Computer Emergency Response Team" that has been run by Carnegie Mellon University since the late 80's. The CERT Advisory mailing lists have been an invaluable resource for system and network administrators for many years, often warning them of potential security hazards weeks before they become problems.

This program, despite all of the hype to make it sound like some wonderful new DHS program that is going to save America from those evil hackers, is essentially just CERT "lite". It's the same old CERT advisory list that's been around for over a decade (run by the same people, in the same offices), only "dumbed down" so that the average nontechnical user can understand it.

I find it funny that Homeland Security is trying to take credit for a program that's been around since REAGAN was president.