AP - Experts anxious about possible Internet attack

[ReadTomPaine]

July 31, 2003 | WASHINGTON (AP) -- By Ted Bridis

"Government and industry experts consider brewing hacker activity a precursor to a broad Internet attack that would target enormous numbers of computers vulnerable from a flaw in Windows software from Microsoft Corp.

Experts described an unusual confluence of conditions that heighten prospects for a serious disruption soon. They cite the high numbers of potential victims and increasingly sophisticated attack tools already tested successfully by hackers in recent days."

http://www.salon.com/tech/wire/2003/07/31/net_attack/index.html

... I'd add that the cynical among us see such an attack as an opportunity for the right to blunt the effectiveness of the progressive left in fundraising and organizing online. An ‘internet 9/11’ could have serious repercussions.

[SpiralHawk]

1. NOVA, on PBS, did an hour on this theme in May...

And i have say it was a chilling documentary. The number of hacker attacks every day, and the increasing sophistication of their attacks, is mind-boggling. After watching the NOVA segment on Internet Terrorism, I came to feel it was a wonder of the first order that the Net is up and running at all.

So as for this new threat scenario, hmmmmm? Glad I have a Mac.

[Hobarticus]

2. Oooo-rah!

Go Mac!

[Wonk]

8. which can be viewed online here

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cyberwar/view/

[Heddi]

3. let's see....

This summer we have:

Anticipated attacks by terrorists a la` 9/11---planes, buildings, etc

Anticipated attacks on Ferries---whoops! Watch out, Washington State Cough-lefty state-cough! You have the largest ferry system in North America. Hate for something bad to happen to the Latte drinking granola hippie Seattle assholes, eh

Anticipated attacks on the Internet--can't have free-flow of information, can we? Me thinks they're scared of the info that people are getting via. the web. I mean, holy shit---DU is my home-page practically. This is the ONLY place I get news, and that's dangerous to them (especially since all the news stories are about the myriad of ways this administration is fucking up, fucking us, and fucking everyone else on the planet)

Yet, our fearless leader is off on a Month-long sebatical.

Yet, our nation's infalable Terror Alert System hasn't been raised. I thought we automatically went to "Orange" when the day of the week ended in "y"

And still how...coincidental. Now we're being told all these horrible things (Don't Fly! Don't Ferry! For God's Sake Stay Off the Internet) but not 'doing' anything about it---you know---it's not enough of a threat to keep asshole from warming the couch at the ranch for a month---it's not enough of a threat to raise the stupid terror warning.

But I have a feeling they're warning us 'just enough' so *when* another 9/11 happens, they can say "See! our intelligence *IS* valuable and correct! We told those people it would happen, and they still chose to fly on vacation and ferry to and from work everyday"

Something is stinky lately. I am flying from Seattle to Florida on Sept 12th and I cannot tell you how utterly terrified I am, and *will* cancel that flight if I feel the least bit hetchy.

Of course, they'll never 'attack' when we feel scared. Complaceny is the best bet. Or right before an Election----

[ReadTomPaine]

4. All are hallmarks of the GWB 'Feel Bad' presidency...

.. and are designed to make you feel powerless and dependant to the 'professionals in the know' on some psychological level. This is also why you haven't seen anything akin to rubber drives, victory gardens or war bonds of conflicts past- they make people empowered and feel as though they are part of the solution. The current administration prefers to refer to themselves whenever they talk about the USA, thereby making to two seems inseparable.

Give this a read -

http://shockandawe.us/archives/BushPresidency/021128a.htm

[Heddi]

5. I definitely will read that in a minute (cookin dinner now)

but you make very valid points.

During WWII, people felt like they *WERE* making a difference, even if most of the rubber and tin collected during the 'drives' were never used, nor were they ever intended to be used, but it was done to give the people a sense of pride when they really needed to feel like they were making a difference.

This administration just doesn't care. I think 50% is malicious intent to drive the American people into a pit of despair, and I honestly think 50% of it is just totally not caring. They really don't give one whit about you, or me, or anyone who isn't in the oil business, or in the Nationbuilding Business, or in the Planet-Raping business.....

stupid stupid men running this country (and a few dim-bulb women too)

[tkmorris]

6. Ya know

Every time I hear of some new potentially catastrophic hole in Windows or Outlook Express I wonder: Is this a real threat or an excuse to ram through my DSL line whatever tacked on crap is loaded with the "security patch"? Before I download any patch from Microsloth I want 2 things. Independent verification of the problem and a detailed report from a source I trust that has decontructed the patch to verify what's in it.

Anyone else get paranoid about this stuff?

[NYC]

10. That's what I wonder about.

Are they just trying to get something into our computers. They are making a big fuss about this one, so I went to www.microsoft.com to read about it.

Words, words, words, download or read more. I went to read more. This does not affect Windows Millenium. Odd, but true. So, I will ignore it.

I stopped updating and upgrading Microsoft things over a year ago because you never know what it is they are trying to put into your computer.

[juajen]

11. Indeed, I do

This is really suspicious, IMHO.

[cthrumatrix]

7. I'm anxious about the experts...and that they are wrong 95% of the time...

heck a bronken clock is right twice a day. Tell us something new and cut the crap.

[Dover]

9. Maybe they are looking for an excuse (or creating one) for asserting

more controls over the internet. This medium is their achilles heel.