US government warns of imminent net attack

[Kellanved]

--snip
US government computer experts have warned that hackers may be preparing a large-scale coordinated attack. This could involve the release of a virulent type of internet worm or use thousands of enslaved personal computers to bring down websites.
...
Windows users were advised to patch their computers if they have not already done so. Hackers were said to be remotely probing thousands of machines in succession to locate those remaining at risk.

The NIPC alert said an "increase in scanning for vulnerable computers over the past several days reinforces the urgency for updating affected systems," says.

...

The software bug in question, revealed on 16 July, affects all of the most recent versions of Microsoft's Windows operating system. It could be exploited to take complete control of a vulnerable machine. Microsoft released a software patch to fix the bug on the same day, but many computers are thought to remain at risk.

National Infrastructure Protection Board http://www.nipc.gov/
--snap

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994014

[AntiCoup2K4]

1. Pardon my cynicism, but......

2 1/2 years of BCE fascism will do that to one's mind.

It's always been common knowledge that Microsoft "accidentally" leaves securtity holes in their software and releases patches later.

So why the big push behind this one??

Could it be that such a patch might actually make it easier for certain people to invade your hard drive?

Like John Asscrotch, for example. Or those other fascists at the RIAA, who are trying to sue you for listening to music, maybe.

[Kellanved]

2. I have another angle:

If Windows is known to be unsecure, then why are non-Windows Systems (for example the Army's Macintosh Web Servers) replaced with Windows systems?

Besides: the finding of a "NSA" key, maybe usable as a backdoor in Windows created an uproar a few years ago.

I'm quite happy with my Gouvernment pushing Linux.

[Chico Man]

4. Linux, Windows, Macs..

They all have holes. Macs are probably the most secure.

Think Linux is unbreakable? Have a look at the most recent security advisories. Microsoft's problems certainly receive a lot of press coverage. The operating system also receives a lot of attention from hackers.

Linux Security Advisories:
http://www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories/

[Kellanved]

8. No, I have hardly any illusions in that matter

But the System architecture of Linux is more secure.
That doesn't make it unbreakable, but it's much more secure than Windows.
If you want to know why:
-no standard; hard to write an automatic exploit, that works on different Linux boxes.
- less common: the fact that Linux is less common makes it uninteresting for many attackers.
-quite a few of the Linux attacks are due to faulty programs, not the OS itself.
-less/not obscure: I can find out why something is an issue.
-did I mention the basic Architecture?
...


MacOSX has most of these features as well; as does Solaris (on a SPARC) and most other UNIX OSs.

;
A badly configured system is insecure, regardless of the used OS.
If you want a secure System: take one without internet access and, if possible, no x86 CPU. And: OK BSD is more secure than Linux, mainly because of the same points.

[Chico Man]

10. I agree

The fact that Windows security architecture is richer than that of Linux makes it less secure.

In the world of security, less is more.

I believe Microsoft is ~still~ shipping OS's with unneccecary features installed by default. Users have the opetion of "locking-down" servers. Why are they not locked down by default? Because that would probably hurt sales because it would take longer for customers to deploy systems and provide value to end clients.

[sexybomber]

3. oh god...

don't make me more paranoid than i already am.

[Neutrino]

9. Thank you--my thoughts exactly

What is in the patch that is worse? A little too convenient, I
opine.

[dArKeR]

5. Bin Laden, Omar, and Saddam are taking the Microsoft Windows Server 2003

class in Washington. They've been under our noses all this time!

http://www.geocities.com/darkerxdarker

[Chico Man]

6. Their professor is an FBI informant (nt)

[MaineDem]

7. My ISP email is down now

(Seriously)

It's Ashcroft's fault. I just know it! (Not so seriously)

:evilgrin:

[Neutrino]

11. Give it a week, and they'll blame it on the Chinese--

hee hee :0)

[Sagan]

12. I'm not worried!

If DU and Bartcop and MWO and Buzzflash all go down, I know that I have a fair, competent and critical mainstream media to keep my objectively informed!

[dbt]

13. Government warns of attack?

Using bu$h's WMD logic, let the Government prove it is not behind the imminent attack.

Bill Gates is Satan, you know.

:evilgrin:
dbt