ESR is half right in what he says, specifically the first half. I think I can speak for the Linux community when I say that it is worthwhile of ESR to follow up the validity of this article on China proclaiming "Linux" the OS of choice.
I speak for myself when I say that I believe his other comments on the China are misplaced, even wrong.
Using CT, how easy or otherwise is it to bring down or attack vital systems? Varies from easy to impossible, depending on:
The level of system security
The attacker's knowledge and desired result
An administrator can only control the level of system security. Therfore they should prepare as per their required level of security.
What sort of skills would be needed to do so, and are they common/teachable? Again this varies depending on what you wish to achieve. Runs from:
Lowest levels: An ability to browse the web and follow instructions.
Highest levels: Years of experience.
Commercial-off-the-shelf software: can it really do CT? Not if Microsoft wrote it *smiles*. Seriously though, I don't personally know of any commercial hacking software. I take commercially to mean "available and useable by my Dad". It would make for an interesting office assistant though.
Which systems are actually attackable? In theory, the possibility of infiltration exists for any network connected to rest of the world**. Of course this probability can be prohibitively small. ** - This is why networks requiring high security generally have an airgap between them and the rest of the world. They also have sealed off buildings and men with guns. Think CIA. Think extreme predudice.
Can a recovery be made from such attacks? The level of damage can run from none through to complete wiping of the entire system. The chance for recovery is inversely proportional!
Is it likely to improve/get worse? I think it will get worse.
What sort of preventitive work would you recommend them to carry out? The following:
Assume the worst is possible, and plan and setup your system accordingly. If it is important back it up. If it is secret don't put it on a "public" system. Follow those easily obtainable instructions on basic security that you usually never get around to. Lock down the users. Take it seriously. BUT don't buy jack boots, a bright lamp, and start saying "I vil ask ze questions". Well at least not for work anyway *smiles*.
With the advent of embedded technology we'd need some form of programmatic control. Of course Bill would be in there like a shot with...
VBP (Visual Basic for People)
Think of it... You could knock up a macros to automate those tedious tasks. Guys, no more need to lift that toilet seat, just implement...
function HaveAnAccurateSlash() as liquid
...and the girls would never know. Even works when you are lagered out of your head.
The possibilities are endless.
My major worry is macro viruses and unauthorised rewrites. Consider, you're lagered up, your tongue is a bit loose,..and one of your friends manages to wangle your access code out of you.
There is a type of satellite that will stay above a particular point on the earth's surface. It is called a geo-stationary satelite, and it is in a geo-stationary orbit.
Basically, the time for the satellite to orbit the earth is 24 hours, which is obviously the same amount of time for the earth to rotate once. Consequently the satellite stays above the same point.
As far as I am aware this occurs when the satellite is at a specific distance from the earths surface. ie. All satellites at this distance would take one day to orbit.
Finally, the idea was initially conceived by Arthur C. Clarke.
Is humour being dumbed down just like everything else? Lets be honest Friends is not exactly ground-breaking.
...and, before you say it, humour is spelt correctly! Unless you look it up in an American dictionary that is, like that modern lexicon, Encarta by Microsoft.
What gets me is that your comments suggest that many of you weren't aware of this *smiles*. I cannot name a company that doesn't have a similar attitude of market domination. Do you really think that beloved RedHat is not trying to sew up the Linux market? Finally, why worry anyway. Remember that, according to the Buddhists, the only constant is change. So it's... IBM yesterday, Microsoft today, maybe Sun tomorrow !
Slashdot Mirror
I speak for myself when I say that I believe his other comments on the China are misplaced, even wrong.
I thought all Americans had widescreen so that they could watch Roseanne *smiles*.
Varies from easy to impossible, depending on:
The level of system security
The attacker's knowledge and desired result
An administrator can only control the level of system security. Therfore they should prepare as per their required level of security.
What sort of skills would be needed to do so, and are they common/teachable?
Again this varies depending on what you wish to achieve. Runs from:
Lowest levels: An ability to browse the web and follow instructions.
Highest levels: Years of experience.
Commercial-off-the-shelf software: can it really do CT?
Not if Microsoft wrote it *smiles*. Seriously though, I don't personally know of any commercial hacking software. I take commercially to mean "available and useable by my Dad". It would make for an interesting office assistant though.
Which systems are actually attackable?
In theory, the possibility of infiltration exists for any network connected to rest of the world**. Of course this probability can be prohibitively small.
** - This is why networks requiring high security generally have an airgap between them and the rest of the world. They also have sealed off buildings and men with guns. Think CIA. Think extreme predudice.
Can a recovery be made from such attacks?
The level of damage can run from none through to complete wiping of the entire system. The chance for recovery is inversely proportional!
Is it likely to improve/get worse?
I think it will get worse.
What sort of preventitive work would you recommend them to carry out?
The following:
Assume the worst is possible, and plan and setup your system accordingly. If it is important back it up. If it is secret don't put it on a "public" system. Follow those easily obtainable instructions on basic security that you usually never get around to. Lock down the users. Take it seriously. BUT don't buy jack boots, a bright lamp, and start saying "I vil ask ze questions". Well at least not for work anyway *smiles*.
Ask, listen to then TRUST whitehat hackers.
Raise your awareness. Start reading slashdot?
Try Zen.
VBP (Visual Basic for People)
Think of it... You could knock up a macros to automate those tedious tasks. Guys, no more need to lift that toilet seat, just implement...
function HaveAnAccurateSlash() as liquid
...and the girls would never know. Even works when you are lagered out of your head.
The possibilities are endless.
My major worry is macro viruses and unauthorised rewrites. Consider, you're lagered up, your tongue is a bit loose, ..and one of your friends manages to wangle your access code out of you.
We now get...
function HaveAnAccurateSlash() as liquid
Call RevealTackle
do While StillNeedSlash
Direction = Rnd
DoEvents
loop
call HideTackle
call LeaveToilet
ShortTermMemory.Wipe
end sub
Basically, the time for the satellite to orbit the earth is 24 hours, which is obviously the same amount of time for the earth to rotate once. Consequently the satellite stays above the same point.
As far as I am aware this occurs when the satellite is at a specific distance from the earths surface. ie. All satellites at this distance would take one day to orbit.
Finally, the idea was initially conceived by Arthur C. Clarke.
Polite enough I hope *smiles*.
Is humour being dumbed down just like everything else? Lets be honest Friends is not exactly ground-breaking.
No.
I always thought that ballroom dancing trousers looked tight.
What gets me is that your comments suggest that many of you weren't aware of this *smiles*. I cannot name a company that doesn't have a similar attitude of market domination. Do you really think that beloved RedHat is not trying to sew up the Linux market? Finally, why worry anyway. Remember that, according to the Buddhists, the only constant is change. So it's... IBM yesterday, Microsoft today, maybe Sun tomorrow !