The BBC's Honeypot PC

Alex Pontin writes, "This article from the BBC shows how vulnerable XP Home really is. Using a highly protected XP Pro machine running VMWare, the BBC hosted an unprotected XP Home system to simulate what an 'average' home PC faces when connected to the internet." From the article: "Seven hours of attacks: 36 warnings that pop-up via Windows Messenger. 11 separate visits by Blaster worm. 3 separate attacks by Slammer worm. 1 attack aimed at Microsoft IIS Server. 2-3 "port scans" seeking weak spots in Windows software." The machine was attacked within seconds of being connected to the Internet, and at no time did more than 15 minutes elapse between attacks.

Comments

We have a Love connection.

[Anonymous Coward]

So were are the Linux and OSX Honeypot PC's?

Please, please read this.

[Cybert4]

Potassium Iodide will save your life in the event of a nuclear incident. This includes dirty bombs as well as fission bombs. Here is the fda's view:

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drugprepare/KI_Q&A.htm

KI is available from several sources. Please get it right now. It will save your life. The government may not have enough for you.

Re:Please, please read this.

[MostAwesomeDude]

As long as we're offtopic...

Um, no. Potassium iodide will protect your thyroid from radioactive iodine. It won't protect you from an explosive coated with cesium or americanium, and it won't protect you from a nuclear warhead.

Re:Please, please read this.

[Hijacked Public]

Hell if it won't.

I keep some potassium iodide in my shirt pocket at all times, and I've yet to be harmed by a nuclear warhead, cesium, or the vaingloriously named americanium.

Re:Yeah, that works.

[stunt_penguin]

I find that the longer it takes you to find out how badly FUBAR something is, the more tragic the revelations become, like how a plane gets more and more badly burned up before finally hitting thr ground :|