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Sasser Worm Takes Down UK's Coastguard

Posted by timothy on from the thanks-for-using-windows dept.

jonman_d writes "The Sasser worm has recently disabled the computer systems of Britain's Coastguard. Naturally, this event raises even more doubts over the reliability of Microsoft software in critical systems. Moreover, it raises questions of responsibility: if the worm writer is caught, can he be held at least partially responsible for any deaths that occured during this outage?"

3 of 733 comments (clear)

  1. I don't know about Britain... by Tuxedo+Jack · · Score: 5, Informative

    But here in the U.S., I believe it falls under both 18 USC 1030 and some clause in the Patriot Act.

    --

    Striking fear in the authors of godawful fanfiction, I am here, appearing in darkness, Tuxedo Jack!
  2. Re:The real question is by matth · · Score: 5, Informative

    I tried that update cd (figured if nothing else it would be useful to take to friends houses who have dialup and need patches). The cd took no less then three months to get to my house! The post mark was like 4 days before I received it so it was in proccessing for 3 months. In that time several news security patches had come out....
    If they can't get the CD out in a few days, it's worthless. For instance, sasser? That CD would have been useless... as I still wouldn't have it.

  3. Re:The real question is by gruhnj · · Score: 5, Informative

    Your not going to trust your military's computer system to enlisted folk, and chances are the officers are not aware of preventive measures. Those who are assign such tasks to contract companies.

    I dont speak for all military, but the Army has an entire major command dedicated to nothing but computers. Formed in 99 NETCOM has actully done a fairly good job in keeping things working. As far at threat detection, patch verification, and orders to deploy, NETCOM tends to be on a 72 hour turnaround. Given that the patch was issued April 13, its way ahead of an outbreak like Sasser. Even better, they have the authority to disconnect. The orders to patch go straight to company commanders and sysAdmins who can be repremanded if their unit goes down. Even if they give the task to a contractor, they are still liable Id hate to be the company commander who sees the brigade commander over virus outbreaks. That seems to keep them in line pretty well.

    SPC Gruhn
    TNOSC-K, Systems Management Branch
    1st Signal BDE
    "First to Communicate!"