Re: Hackers invade DOJ web site
CNN online (http://www.cnn.com) is reporting a "breakin" by "hackers" to the DOJ web site. They don't elaborate exactly how thy did it.
I certainly don't support the person or people responsible for this and it may very well end up having an overall negative impact. Since it has happened, however, I think those in a position to do so should start with the spin control. Some suggestions: The fact that even the U.S. Justice Department is unable to adequately protect it's own site from intruders underscores the need for widely- available strong encryption. While this is certainly a major embarrassment for the Justice Department, at least the mandatory "key escrow" program the Clinton administration is insisting upon has not yet been implemented; no private citizens' data appears to have been compromised this time. It's doubtful that a new law or government bureaucracy would have prevented this from happening but it's entirely possible that tools such as strong encryption could have. It's ironic that the U.S. Government is focusing on the former while fighting use of the latter. This event could potentially draw a lot of interest from the general public. Since we're dealing with public perceptions largely created through the main- stream media, it's important to remember that "sound bites" are more important than carefully reasoned arguments. | (Douglas) Hofstadter's Law: | It always takes longer than you expect, even Frank Stuart | when you take into account Hofstadter's Law.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- A short time ago, at a computer terminal far, far away, Frank Stuart wrote:
however, I think those in a position to do so should start with the spin control. Some suggestions:
The fact that even the U.S. Justice Department is unable to adequately protect it's own site from intruders underscores the need for widely- available strong encryption.
While this is certainly a major embarrassment for the Justice Department, at least the mandatory "key escrow" program the Clinton administration is insisting upon has not yet been implemented; no private citizens' data appears to have been compromised this time.
It's doubtful that a new law or government bureaucracy would have prevented this from happening but it's entirely possible that tools such as strong encryption could have. It's ironic that the U.S. Government is focusing on the former while fighting use of the latter.
I understand how it affects their claim for the security of escrowed keys, but I'm afraid I don't follow the other argument. How would the wide availability of strong encryption have helped prevent the breakin? How would encryption in general prevent breakins? I'd love to use this as an argument for strong encryption, but I don't see how it really applies. === Will Day <PGP mail preferred> * * * * * * * * * * * willday@rom.oit.gatech.edu HARRY BROWNE FOR PRESIDENT http://rom.oit.gatech.edu/~willday/ http://www.HarryBrowne96.org/ OIT, Georgia Tech, Atlanta 30332-0715 * * * * * * * * * * * =-> Opinions expressed are mine alone and do not reflect OIT policy <-= -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.3 Charset: noconv iQCVAwUBMhnfhRDHlOdPw2ZdAQHIagQAktlsSEN4Ojt54JwZqWIujZ3BDc9n8e5D tokubxvVSdMyh9v/xVhVBfIOne1/+htiMdTWHYch0ZrJGqPR3rbicnuVm57Qq964 KMR9E3P9jNBgo+V9J3V01GcT3+VzxyOMTKqq64fLlRDnF1dg+UNWfCxNYc3bQnw+ HvYOMUv8mqs= =k72n -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
A short time ago, at a computer terminal far, far away, Frank Stuart wrote:
however, I think those in a position to do so should start with the spin control. Some suggestions:
The fact that even the U.S. Justice Department is unable to adequately protect it's own site from intruders underscores the need for widely- available strong encryption.
While this is certainly a major embarrassment for the Justice Department, at least the mandatory "key escrow" program the Clinton administration is insisting upon has not yet been implemented; no private citizens' data appears to have been compromised this time.
It's doubtful that a new law or government bureaucracy would have prevented this from happening but it's entirely possible that tools such as strong encryption could have. It's ironic that the U.S. Government is focusing on the former while fighting use of the latter.
I understand how it affects their claim for the security of escrowed keys, but I'm afraid I don't follow the other argument. How would the wide availability of strong encryption have helped prevent the breakin? How would encryption in general prevent breakins? I'd love to use this as an argument for strong encryption, but I don't see how it really applies.
I think its a DOJ's doing. They prolly want to show the courts how bad hackers can get so they can conjure up some support in forthcomming trials. C'mon the sysadmins aren't fools, they surely see their own site. - Vipul vipul@pobox.com
participants (3)
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Frank Stuart -
Vipul Ved Prakash -
Will Day