-Caveat Lector- All: Just in case the big listservs pull this in the US, we would all be wise to get a copy of AOL instant messenger and ICQ just in case. Once the word is out, more will follow suit. It Looks like some of the "big boys" want to clamp down on communication just when it is needed most. The reason: why, cyber-"terrorists" of course. Edward ><+> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (http://www.ft.com/hippocampus/q312522.htm) Big groups act on e-mail threat By Jean Eaglesham, Legal Correspondent, and Thomas Cat�n in New York Some of the UK's largest companies are blocking electronic mail over the New Year in a bid to thwart the arrival of a threatened wave of up to 200,000 computer viruses. The move mirrors growing fears in the United States that "cyber-terrorists" and anarchists will try to mark the millennium by sabotaging computer systems. Earlier this week a number of US air force bases said they would block access to their web sites over the new year to try to ward off viruses. Glaxo Wellcome, the pharmaceuticals giant, and the car manufacturers Vauxhall and Volkswagen are among the big companies planning to block e-mails. Ford yesterday refused to disclose whether it was following suit but said it was "ensuring the system was safe from outside infection". The companies fear their e-mail systems could offer an entry point for new viruses, many of which may exploit concerns over the millennium bug - the inability of some systems and programs to cope with the date change to January 1, 2000. A new virus could display a message saying, for example, that programs are "not year-2000 compliant". "This could create a considerable amount of confusion, especially in the more paranoid organisations," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, an anti-virus company. Computer experts warn that hackers could also introduce genuine year 2000 problems. "To block all e-mails could be seen as an over-reaction to viruses alone, but then there's the year 2000 question. Simply because a system is compliant now doesn't mean it will remain so," said Lars Davies, a research fellow at the University of London. Companies that are blocking access are having to resort to old-fashioned forms of communication. Glaxo Wellcome said it had back-up fax arrangements in place across the world for the 24 to 48 hours its e-mail would be down. It added that "very, very few" employees would be working over the affected period. Other companies are stepping up their warnings to employees. British Telecommunications said it was aware of the increase in viruses that would be triggered by the date change and had alerted all its employees with remote access to its intranet. British Aerospace said it was running e-mail as normal but watching out for specific viruses - "we have a very good idea where a lot of these are coming from or could come from". Y2K: Years of preparation to squash the millennium bug E-COMMERCE: Hot competition for executive talent ================================================= WARNING! Stay OUT of America's cities on 1/1/2,000!! Edward Britton ><+> http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5285/connector1.html Reality Pump: http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/Reality_Pump2 ================================================= DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
