Computer securtiy and especially the threat to it seems nowadays to be
almost a daily headline. It's true that you can read about lots of
worms/viruses/holes/DDOS etc. However I never have heard/read/seen
about any serious malicious attack against any vital/critical
infrastructure of any country (not even in war).
I'm not talking about these web server hacks, defacings, email worms...
In my opinion these are harmless but anoying manifestations of the lack
of security in the Internet affecting merely e-commerce and personal
convenience.
Of course this still is a crime, but it is by far not as dangerous as
many politicians want to make you belief. You're life won't be
threatened, if someone hacks into a webserver gets your credit card
number and.... It's your risk to use the system as it is to carry cash
in your wallet (you could be mugged). You also will survive if you
momentarily cannot access ebay/cnn because of some dumb DDOS attack.
These are definitely nuisances but does it endanger an entire country
????
However I've never heard about a hack into a real critical system like
a powerplant central unit, a missle launch system or other vital
infrastructure equipment (I'm eager to learn, though).
Why ? NOT because these systems are safe !! But simply because these
system just are not connected to the Internet and often use proprietary
technology !
Does anybody remember Y2K ? Humongous panic... the world ruled by
computer will come down.... what actally happened ? NOTHING, except lot
of consultants (including me) made a fortune....
Another thougt: There is no environment better suited to monitor
seamingless ANY activity than IT systems. So the MYSTERIOUS ANONYMOUS
ENEMY does NOT exist ! It is easier to write anonymous mail with the
postal system than with the Internet mailing system (yes I am aware of
anoymous mailer....).
So what is this mysterious actual threat mighty countries like the USA
face ? Life still does NOT take place in the cyberspace. It never
will...
Up to now the only reason for the whole discussion about cyberwar is to
push up personal observation in general as much as possible. Sure, from
a government agency's point of view it doesn't hurt to have as much
information/transparence as possible. But from a citizen's point of
view .?.!.?.!...
Happp new year!
almost a daily headline. It's true that you can read about lots of
worms/viruses/holes/DDOS etc. However I never have heard/read/seen
about any serious malicious attack against any vital/critical
infrastructure of any country (not even in war).
I'm not talking about these web server hacks, defacings, email worms...
In my opinion these are harmless but anoying manifestations of the lack
of security in the Internet affecting merely e-commerce and personal
convenience.
Of course this still is a crime, but it is by far not as dangerous as
many politicians want to make you belief. You're life won't be
threatened, if someone hacks into a webserver gets your credit card
number and.... It's your risk to use the system as it is to carry cash
in your wallet (you could be mugged). You also will survive if you
momentarily cannot access ebay/cnn because of some dumb DDOS attack.
These are definitely nuisances but does it endanger an entire country
????
However I've never heard about a hack into a real critical system like
a powerplant central unit, a missle launch system or other vital
infrastructure equipment (I'm eager to learn, though).
Why ? NOT because these systems are safe !! But simply because these
system just are not connected to the Internet and often use proprietary
technology !
Does anybody remember Y2K ? Humongous panic... the world ruled by
computer will come down.... what actally happened ? NOTHING, except lot
of consultants (including me) made a fortune....
Another thougt: There is no environment better suited to monitor
seamingless ANY activity than IT systems. So the MYSTERIOUS ANONYMOUS
ENEMY does NOT exist ! It is easier to write anonymous mail with the
postal system than with the Internet mailing system (yes I am aware of
anoymous mailer....).
So what is this mysterious actual threat mighty countries like the USA
face ? Life still does NOT take place in the cyberspace. It never
will...
Up to now the only reason for the whole discussion about cyberwar is to
push up personal observation in general as much as possible. Sure, from
a government agency's point of view it doesn't hurt to have as much
information/transparence as possible. But from a citizen's point of
view .?.!.?.!...
Happp new year!