On Nov 29, 2007 8:33 AM, Bob Mottram wrote: > My own opinion of all this, for what it's worth, is that the smart > hackers don't waste their time writing viruses/botnets. There are > many harder problems to which an intelligent mind can be applied. > >
This discussion is a bit out of date. Nowadays no hackers (except for script kiddies) are interested in wiping hard disks or damaging your pc. Hackers want to *use* your pc and the data on it. Mostly the general public don't even notice their pc is working for someone else. When it slows down sufficiently, they either buy a new pc or take it to the shop to get several hundred infections cleaned off. But some infections (like rootkits) need a disk wipe to remove them completely. See: <http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=7160&tag=nl.e589> Quote- On Wednesday, the SANS Institute released its top 20 security risks update for 2007. It's pretty bleak across the board. There are client vulnerabilities in browsers, Office software (especially the Microsoft variety), email clients and media players. On the server side, Web applications are a joke, Windows Services are a big target, Unix and Mac operating systems have holes, backup software is an issue as are databases and management servers. Even anti-virus software is a target. And assuming you button down all of those parts–good luck folks–you have policies to be implemented (rights, access, encrypted laptops etc.) just so people can elude them. Meanwhile, instant messaging, peer-to-peer programs and your VOIP system are vulnerable. The star of the security show is the infamous zero day attack. ------------------ Original SANS report here - <http://www.sans.org/top20/?portal=bf37a5aa487a5aacf91e0785b7f739a4#c2> --------------------------- And, of course, all the old viruses are still floating around the net and have to be protected against. BillK ----- This list is sponsored by AGIRI: http://www.agiri.org/email To unsubscribe or change your options, please go to: http://v2.listbox.com/member/?member_id=8660244&id_secret=70081689-300ee8
