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Computer Viruses Cripple Colorado DMV
Mr. Christmas Lights writes "The Denver Post has written the last three days (Tue, Wed, Thu) about how computer viruses have crippled the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicle's computers since last Friday. This has prevented them from issuing new/renewed licenses, so they are providing 30-day extension stickers. The 'dozen experts' have decided that 'fresh software' is the best way to remedy it - probably means re-installing Windows, but have they considered Linux? Colorado seems to be having its share of problems - today's article mentions the Zinc Whiskers issue several months ago that knocked the the Colorado secretary of state offline for a couple of weeks. And it could only get worse as the JPEG exploit starts showing up in the wild."
I'm sure the "fresh software" will be provided free of charge to the state...
Just great. Now I'll have to wait like, 4 hours to get a new picture!
have they considered Linux?
I should hope not! Don't you realize that Norton Anti-virus doesn't run on Linux? How would they protect themselves from these destructive viruses without every machine devoting a few hours each day to scanning for and eliminating viruses?
I suppose it's understandable that you overlooked this problem, though, I hadn't ever thought of it either until some security brainiacs at a client's headquarters refused to allow me to connect my laptop to their network unless I could demonstrate that a reputable virus scanner was checking my machine at least daily. I pointed out that my laptop runs Linux, and that there are no Linux viruses in the wild, but they made it clear that that doesn't matter -- any machine without a virus scanner is a risk to their uber-secure network.
I sure am glad they explained that to me...
Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
How does the JPEG exploit affect the DMV? Are the lines so long because the agents are looking at pr0n all day long?
"I make people like me... WITH VIOLENCE!" - ATHF
The 'dozen experts' have decided that 'fresh software' is the best way to remedy it - probably means re-installing Windows, but have they considered Linux?
Oh, brilliant idea. Why, they could have their entire statewide system gutted, upgraded to Linux, re-designed, re-written, tested, debugged, deployed, up and running in the time it takes Gentoo to boot!
Obliteracy: Words with explosions
Pr0n in governemnt?
The prince of Bel-Air installs it?
The pack Dentine in with the restore disks?
*rimshot*
Always going forward, 'cause we can't find reverse.
How many people bet the headline should have been that?
Alternate joke: Things have ground to a halt at the DMV? You mean it's been more than 5 minutes since the doors opened?
Blaze a trail to the New World
The hack has effected all driver license photos.
:(
The goatse man now appears on all new licenses, effective today.
[Enter, Stage Left] Script Kiddie, a 13 year old white kid with glasses, walks through the door... black eye, obviously had the crap kicked out of him.
Mom: What happened, Jimmy?
SK: Well, I did this u1tra-l33t haxoring on the DMV, mom, but it turns out that some of the older kids didn't think it was so l33t when they couldn't get their licenses...
Who to root for, the viruses or the DMV? A conundrum if there ever was one...
They don't need budget/time/employees/skill. All they have to do is put up a Sourceforge page, give it about a week, and their perfect bug-free open source DMV software will magically appear.
Would anyone actually notice the slowdown? This is the DMV after all.
"Somedays we don't let the lines move at all. We call those days weekdays."
He said something to the effect of ' ... my parents said give us a good reason why we need a computer ...' . Almost instantly, 3 people in the room said 'Where else would you install anti-virus software' .
Microsoft has a serious image problem right now, and it does not look like its going to get better any time soon.
All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be
Or the next thing you know, some sick computer hacker will get in there and start sending tax bills to rich people.
God forbid some 'sick hacker' do such a thing.
Format ...
Install from original CD
Install updates from CD, not web
Plug in network cable
God dammit
Format
Literalism isn't a form of humor, it's you being irritating.
"installing a sprinkler system in a burning building, sure you SHOULD have had it but it doesn't help to suggest it now."
You don't understand. I'm standing on the street, mocking you as your building burns down, because you didn't take my advice ten years ago and install a sprinkler system. You've completely remodeled the building twice during that time, and you've turned over your entire staff several times, training them all fresh.
Oh, by the way, I'm your insurance adjuster. You are so fucked.
...I'm just happy to see Colorado tax dollars come here.
I for one welcome the immanent arrival of our Linux-virus writing overlords.
Their big challenge: how to port Internet Explorer, Outlook and Visual Basic to Linux and integrate them in such a way that Linux users can't remove the offending code, so there are huge holes to exploit, and built in distribution systems to make exploits into worldwide virus catastrophes.
Step 3: Profit!!
[Patty and Selma on working at the DMV]
Patty: Some days, we don't let the line move at all.
Selma: Yeah, we call those weekdays.
Dude, "Referrer" is spelled with four r's, not two.
/me ducks
XML is a known as a key material required to create SMD: Software of Mass Destruction