Comments on: Thousands of Infrastructure Computer Systems are Online, Unprotected

By: Nikademus

Nikademus — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:10:06 +0000

Nothing will be done about this issue, until some thing happens and all/most of these computers are infected. Anyone remember the HUGE black out on the East coast a few years ago, that was an “accident” imagine how much worse it would have been if someone was actually TRYING to screw with out infrastructure… But it is OK, the US government is here to save you by passing ACTA, and taking bribes from MPAA and RIAA to cripple the internet. If the pirates cannot get our oh so valuable music and movies, then we do not need to worry about infrastructure.

By: John Kwok

John Kwok — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:17:02 +0000

I think those operating these systems should not only take a look at Stoll’s work, but also Bruce Sterling’s insightful “The Hacker Crackdown”.

By: Chris Winter

Chris Winter — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:18:35 +0000

“Thousands of infrastructure computer systems are online unprotected.”

Clifford Stoll — white courtesy telephone, please.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cuckoo%27s_Egg_%28book%29

Seriously, though, Cliff Stoll has retired from battling hackers, having done his bit. The sad thing is that his message hasn’t sunk in. I’ll bet that many of those systems still have the manufacturer’s default passwords.

By: Chris Winter

Chris Winter — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:09:49 +0000

Does anyone remember the Pakistani Brain virus? That was, what — 15 years ago? I wouldn’t count too much on the ignorance of inimical Iranians, or of any other enemies.

By: James Harmer

James Harmer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:43:14 +0000

So the only thing stopping the Iranians having a damn good time with the US electrical supply system, is their ignorance of US power companies incompetence?

By: Iain

Iain — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:17:22 +0000

So next time I flush my toilet I might get some nuclear waste showing up?

By: Brian Too

Brian Too — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:03:05 +0000

Whoosh.