Billy and his backdoor...

[Greg Kedrovsky]

This just hit my in-bucket, and in light of recent comments... I figgrd
I'd throw it out there (here): 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46233-2003Aug11.html

Seems like WinDoze left another backdoor open in their system: 

"Also known as "LoveSan," the worm takes advantage of a vulnerability
discovered three weeks ago that affects nearly all recent versions of
Windows, including Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Server
2003."

And, this is hillarious (sorry, no offense to anyone... it just seems
like an anti-M$ guy wrote this worm...): 

"Once a computer is infected, the worm installs instructions for
attacking the Microsoft Update Web site -- the same site that users are
encouraged to go to for downloading patches that would protect their
systems from this worm and others."

And did M$ know about this... Sure. Weeks before! And did the DO
anything about it??

"The attack comes after weeks of warnings from Microsoft, security
experts and the Homeland Security Department that hackers were actively
exploiting a Windows flaw to take control of vulnerable systems."

And what would be the main problem in Joe SixPack getting this thing
fixed???

"The worm's impact could be worsened by the fact that many home users
are not well versed in downloading patches and installing firewalls, and
are unfamiliar with technology terms, said Alan Paller, director of
research at the SANS Institute, a security research and training group
in Bethesda, Md."

There certainly is something to be said for "user friendliness." I'm all
for it. But, why is it that we think all learning should stop after high
school (or college for those who choose/chose that route)? 

Have a good evening.

-Greg

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