This is the first net distributed "security alert" distributed that I've noticed, with almost no real content. No one who knows a bit about computer security learned anything they didn't already know from that "alert". Rather, it was distributed in the _form_ of a CERT-like alert,
This sort of remark is just uncalled for. The point NSB made in his message was precisely that the average person does NOT know anything about computer security. While his alert is not necessarily designed for the audience on this list, it is worth paying attention to because it brings up issues which this list has had to deal with many times in the past. One classic example is usability of PGP. If PGP is so good for the masses, why aren't they just flocking to it. The problem is that it is more than just point and click. User interfaces designed for the masses go through endless hours of reviews dealing with "one click or two" issues. We can up the snobbery level and say, "if you cannot take the time to protect your E-mail, then you deserve to have your mail spied upon." But I was under the impression that cypherpunks are supposed to lead the way, not cut loose and run. Ern