Wednesday, January 29, 2003 07:36:28

The Hearings' Going - but the Eye Sight Isn't

If you haven't heard by now (see my last posting), it looks like my "tentative" question about whether someone had done a nasty to the Internet users around the world has proved to be true.

It would appear some one has released what is known as "The SQL Slammer or Sapphire" Worm onto the Internet. This has effected quite a number of computers (taking out many of the Bank of America teller machines for one - so I've been told).

I know that the IT people at work are waiting for some patch or other to become effective before they can bring some of the company systems back on line.

The following links takes you to one of the stories on the Internet reporting this worm: http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-982135.html

This brings up two points:

Point one: Why do people cause so much grief to other innocent users of the Internet?

I have heard, and read, the various reasons for carrying out these sorts of "attacks". These reasons ranging from " I was only attacking a Corporate Target" through to "I did it because I could". Either way these people should be brought to book, not just locally, but Internationally. I know what I would like to do - but it would be in-polite of me to post how these things really make me feel.

and

Point two: Microsoft? Do they really care for their Customers and Users

The reason this Worm has been so relatively effective is that it exploit a known flaw that is at least six months old. If people had known about this for six months - why didn't anyone react to it. Issue a patch, some warning - something?. Genuine Customers have paid MS large amounts of money for this software - only to have their data and processes put at risk because of a sloppy software build.

The problem as I see it is this. As the Computer World is today, most users are caught between a rock and a hard place. Realistically, it is very difficult to stop the idiots who thinks it fun to destroy innocent netter's hobbies. And most of the computer world is now run on Microsoft Code. And Microsoft haven't covered themselves in glory as regards selling software that is bug free.

What is an innocent netter to do?


current mood: annoyed
current music: