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Michael says... "Do As We Say..." and other oddities

On Thursday, August 9, Microsoft discovered that one of the two Code Red worms had infected several of the servers hosting their MSN Hotmail - this after weeks of Microsoft urging the public to patch computers running its (Windows NT or 2000) software in order to prevent Code Red infections. Did someone at Microsoft not trust their own patch? Nah, had to be an oversight - but you'd think... (Hotmail users, fear not - that's not what's going to get you; likewise, users of Windows 95, 98 or ME don't have to fear Code Red itself, though may find the Internet running slower at times because of the impact on some Internet providers' servers or those of certain sites they try to access).

Last week, the U.S. Senate held confirmation hearings on President Bush's nominee for FBI Director, Robert Mueller (he was confirmed unanimously August 2). Hopefully he'll get things straightened out there soon...  At about the same time, Nicodemo Scarfo Jr., who was charged with running the illegal gambling and loan-shark operations for the Gambino crime family, protested the high-tech computer snooping techniques the FBI used to gather evidence against him, and asked that the government reveal the details of the computer monitoring system it used, which might be the basis to request that certain evidence be suppressed. Supposedly, the FBI recorded every keystroke made on Scarfo's computer at his New Jersey business. (On August 7, a federal judge ordered the government to reveal the techniques the FBI used).

Several things are striking here:  regardless of Scarfo's mob connection, the FBI's job is law enforcement. There are laws about wiretapping, eavesdropping, etc.  The FBI, at a minimum, should have obtained court permission. What they gathered may or may not be permitted in the case against Scarfo, but the FBI broke the law.  If evidence is thrown out because of that, that's  (almost another) crime.   The next thought that comes to mind is with regard to the FBI's use of high tech computer equipment. I'm glad they have some, but maybe they need to spend their computer / technology budget a little differently. It was not long ago that slip ups in reporting of information by the FBI had delayed Timothy McVeigh's execution, and could well have upset his conviction. Now, this was withholding of thousands of pages of documents from the defense, so again, the law was broken; but in the "high tech" FBI, all this should have been scanned, indexed, and made available.  Okay, but we have to fight crime, don't we? Well, here's another problem - the FBI is not providing its own agents decent computers; many have resorted to using their home computer for work because of obsolete equipment furnished by the government.  The FBI needs better tools across the board. It also needs a new attitude about upholding the law... itself.

While Code Red is not going to affect the typical home computer with Win 95/98/Me, other worms and viruses can. The current "popular" one is called   "W32.Sircam.Worm@mm."  It typically has a file attached (don't open!) and text like "Hi! How are you?  I send you this file in order to have your advice     See you later. Thanks"  Symantic's site contains excellent and useful information about most active viruses and worms as well as about jokes and hoaxes. Go here for specific information about W32.Sircam.Worm@mm. Remember, keep a good anti virus program running at all times, and keep its signature files current. Protect yourself from others getting access to your computer with a good personal firewall. ZoneAlarm Pro is a good one; there is a free version available for download there if you don't need all features.

posted August 10 - October 11, 2001