| Microsoft routinely releases new security | | | | |
| updates, many of which are given it's highest | | | | break in and take everything you've got. But |
| severity rating "critical". Here's a typical | | | | let's stay positive, the good news is, |
| announcement:"A security issue has been | | | | |
| identified that could allow an attacker to | | | | you can patch it all right up with a click. |
| | | | What could be easier? Maybe |
| compromise a computer running Internet | | | | |
| Explorer and gain control over it."I'm not | | | | that's why we forgive them so often. |
| making this up. Is this funny to anyone else? | | | | Wouldn't it be great to get an email from |
| They do this every | | | | |
| | | | GM saying your vehicle will soon be stolen |
| month and they are still the most popular | | | | but click here and it will be |
| web browser in the world! Don't get me | | | | |
| | | | alright. It's nice that they |
| wrong, the browser is good, as long as you | | | | |
| don't mind "attackers" | | | | announce the holes and the patches together, |
| | | | that way I'm not so worried the |
| gaining control over it once in awhile. Who | | | | |
| are these attackers? Is it a | | | | whole time before, while I browsed Internet |
| | | | Explorer around care free down the |
| cyber-geek with coke bottle glasses and an | | | | |
| evil glint in his magnified eye? | | | | mean streets of the internet completely |
| | | | innocent. I could have been E-jacked by |
| Could I tell if I saw one on the street? | | | | |
| Would he have a lot of pens in the top | | | | I-marauders, demanding that I hand over |
| | | | every E & I in my wallet. The truth is, the |
| pocket of his gangsta leather jacket? Does | | | | good guys are winning the security battle |
| he have pentagrams sewn into | | | | online, |
| | | | |
| his polyester leisure suit? I know only one | | | | why? Because they are rich and can hire the |
| hacker, but he swears he's a | | | | best light-side hackers money |
| | | | |
| "Light-Side" hacker. He hacks only for | | | | can buy. Even hackers known for evil all |
| good. And what if we received these kinds of | | | | wind up working for large corporations. |
| letters from other | | | | |
| | | | A headline of one going to jail for 18 |
| manufacturers? "A security issue has been | | | | months is a resume item on the lap of |
| identified that could allow | | | | |
| | | | every CEO in the world with computers to |
| a pirate to board all pleasure boats running | | | | protect. Now they're a cyber security |
| an outboard Mercury 150 and joy | | | | |
| | | | expert, with all the dark secrets for sale! |
| ride it to Mexico for Cinco de Mayo. Install | | | | The speaking engagements start |
| this jack screw on your rudder immediately." | | | | |
| So let's review with an analogy because this | | | | pouring in, "Come meet the man (or woman) |
| is "critical". | | | | who sent a KaGillion emails from |
| | | | |
| If you had a steel combination safe (your | | | | a billion computers to Microsoft during |
| computer) in which you stored precious | | | | lunch break. He did his time at Club |
| belongings, | | | | |
| | | | Fed, and now works for the Department of |
| (your data) and you towed this safe around | | | | Defense. So cyber villains may come and |
| in a wagon through | | | | critical updates may go, I just click and fix |
| | | | |
| many of the world's most dangerous cities | | | | my way along the information highway and say |
| (surfing the internet), Microsoft | | | | a little prayer that the world's |
| | | | |
| announced that there are 8 easy ways, and 4 | | | | "attackers" never know I exist until they're |
| just "so so" ways for thieves to | | | | on the payroll of the good guys somewhere. |