Tighten the Net
Hackers taught Internet users and the federal
government that we are no safer on the information superhighway than we
are on the freeways.
Technology is created for our convenience
and knowledge, so why are hackers turning this same technology against
online servers and customers so shocking?
For about three hours, users were in the
dark and providers were scrambling to fix the problem. The FBI was called
in, and at least one of the hackers was identified.
Ironically, an error on his part -- not
totally erasing his trail -- led to his discovery. Hacking has become
a game of challenge and we are the pawns.
The Net has made life so lazy for us that
we no longer worry about who is out there peeping into our personal business.
To avoid standing in lines at the bank, or fighting for parking places
in the malls, we shop online.
Social Security numbers are the keys to
checking credit, verifying financial status, bank accounts and all other
personal history, and we give them out freely.
If a hacker can shut down major online
services and get into phone company and major corporation records, manipulating
an individual's life is easy.
Security professionals write programs and
hire computer geniuses to find cracks in the systems. What and who will
stop these geniuses from using their talents to sell out to the highest
bidder?
Not being able to log on to CNN or Amazon.com
or pick up Yahoo e-mail are minor inconveniences compared to the fallout
from major security leaks that can occur if the government does not crack
down. |
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