Computer privacy at PC: Safe, but not sound
Paul Harvey
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: News
While inconveniencing to an already busy IT department, it turns out the prankster may be in greater risk than other users. According to Baxter, unauthorized access of school computers and network areas can be considered vandalization of state property, a misdemeanor at least with the potential escalation to felony charges depending on the circumstances.
Even though Deep Freeze was compromised in this case, the IT department has numerous safeguards to protect students from any significant harm. Changes to hardware or system level software is tracked on all campus computers by other transparent administration tools, and further plans are in motion to obtain advanced network monitoring tools with the ability to automatically restrict malicious users from the network.
Unfortunately, even with cutting edge technology in place it's not impossible for troublemakers to catch network traffic. Baxter reminds us that packet sniffing tools and network security software are freely available online, and even though Peninsula College has classes specifically for the ethical use of network security tools, malicious users and so called "Script kiddies" have few morals regarding using the public as their personal playground. The best bet, says Baxter, is to keep your important online transactions at home.
Extra tips for keeping your computer safe
• Have a firewall, and make sure it's on whenever you're online
• Have an antivirus, and make sure the definition files are updated regularly
• When logging into websites that may have personally identifying information or financial information, always make sure the connection is encrypted using an "https" site
*When in doubt, search for definitions and answers. Reading and research about online threats is your best defense.
* If you suspect something is wrong with your computer, have it inspected by a qualified technician. Having your computer break down or invaded can be as costly as if it were your car.
Even though Deep Freeze was compromised in this case, the IT department has numerous safeguards to protect students from any significant harm. Changes to hardware or system level software is tracked on all campus computers by other transparent administration tools, and further plans are in motion to obtain advanced network monitoring tools with the ability to automatically restrict malicious users from the network.
Unfortunately, even with cutting edge technology in place it's not impossible for troublemakers to catch network traffic. Baxter reminds us that packet sniffing tools and network security software are freely available online, and even though Peninsula College has classes specifically for the ethical use of network security tools, malicious users and so called "Script kiddies" have few morals regarding using the public as their personal playground. The best bet, says Baxter, is to keep your important online transactions at home.
Extra tips for keeping your computer safe
• Have a firewall, and make sure it's on whenever you're online
• Have an antivirus, and make sure the definition files are updated regularly
• When logging into websites that may have personally identifying information or financial information, always make sure the connection is encrypted using an "https" site
*When in doubt, search for definitions and answers. Reading and research about online threats is your best defense.
* If you suspect something is wrong with your computer, have it inspected by a qualified technician. Having your computer break down or invaded can be as costly as if it were your car.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 8
sven grammersdorf
posted 12/09/08 @ 6:28 PM PST
ahahahah. what the hell do MAC addresses have to do with this, unless you have distinct user logins and/or a camera watching whos on each computer so you can align the MAC data with video of who was using compy, and if someone used a timer or something, none of it would matter anyway. (Continued…)
michelle
posted 12/09/08 @ 8:33 PM PST
Im upset at the fact that some random student at college managed to hack those computers so easily. I check myspace and my back on those things. Are teh systems gonna get fixed? i dont want my myspace to get hacked, all my friends are online there
Harrison
posted 12/09/08 @ 11:41 PM PST
I do not feel comfortable signing in on ANY wepage that requires a password/username on those damn computers..They are so easily hacked on! For the sake of holy Caesars ghost, put some security on them! I guess the IT people in charge of that stuff must be a real head case. (Continued…)
IT.BrianH
posted 12/15/08 @ 9:18 AM PST
I could understand if this was a university and the students actually lived on campus and needed better security. This is a community college and most people have their own homes with their own internet connection. (Continued…)
Draco Red
posted 12/23/08 @ 9:50 AM PST
"I thought what I'd do was, I'd pretend I was one of those deaf-mutes. That way I wouldn't have to have any goddam stupid useless conversations with anybody. (Continued…)
SHODAN
posted 1/08/09 @ 10:13 AM PST
Look at you, hacker. A pathetic creature of meat and bone, panting and sweating as you run through my corridors. How can you challenge a perfect, immortal machine?
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