Schneier On Un-Authentication

Trailrunner7 writes "Bruce Schenier writes on Threatpost.com: 'In computer security, a lot of effort is spent on the authentication problem. Whether it is passwords, secure tokens, secret questions, image mnemonics, or something else, engineers are continually coming up with more complicated — and hopefully more secure — ways for you to prove you are who you say you are over the Internet. This is important stuff, as anyone with an online bank account or remote corporate network knows. But a lot less thought and work have gone into the other end of the problem: how do you tell the system on the other end of the line that you are no longer there? How do you un-authenticate yourself? My home computer requires me to log out or turn my computer off when I want to un-authenticate. This works for me because I know enough to do it, but lots of people just leave their computer on and running when they walk away. As a result, many office computers are left logged in when people go to lunch, or when they go home for the night. This, obviously, is a security vulnerability.'"

Comments

Re:Effective way to keep screens locked

[MyLongNickName]

So, you are a thief?

Re:Effective way to keep screens locked

[aardwolf64]

Of course, the fun rose exponentially when two people had their machines unlocked. I would frequently carry on a whole phantom conversation.

"Hey, let's go to lunch tomorrow"
"I can't, I have to wax my hamster"
"I didn't know you had a hamster"
"..."

Solutions that work, but are too bulky.

[Animats]

Back before ease of use eclipsed security, I once encountered a military system where the access terminal was surrounded by a small fence. Opening the gate in the fence forced an immediate logout.

Nobody would tolerate that today. Except, maybe, for an ATM.

Re:Effective way to keep screens locked

[cbiltcliffe]

How is using physical paper and toner paid for by someone else with their money the same as downloading a digital version of a movie that you already have the VHS for, but it got chewed up when your VCR died?

There's a very good reason why the laws of virtually every country in the world DO NOT consider downloading data to be theft.

Because it's not.

It's copyright infringement.

I'm not saying it's right, or justified, or anything to do with the moral right or wrong of it. If you come out with a comment about how I'm a scofflaw just because I don't think it's stealing, you've just shown your own immaturity, and complete lack of awareness of the situation, as well as sheer arrogance in putting words in my mouth.

The simple legal fact is, the two are not connected in any way, regardless of entertainment industry propaganda.

Re:Effective way to keep screens locked

[MyLongNickName]

Hi Commodore,

You again make assumptions about my behavior. I can quite honestly tell you I have not done any of the above except ad blocking, which is neither illegal nor amoral.

You again fail to see the very obvious. You charged your services to someone else's account. This isn't complicated.

As far as my "sinning", yes I have done things I wish I hadn't. However, you come here bragging about what you have done, and then continue to justify your actions using absolutely moronic logic. if you want to follow your "sin" analogy, then you have not "repented". While you are unrepentant, you are to be treated as though you an outside, shunned and ignored.

The bottom line is that you stole from the people you did this to.