Re: Please post to the list

[ratel <ratel () mailvault com>]

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On 22-Nov-2002 12:19:52 -0500, you wrote:

> in your ideal world, how would you help
> me stay secure and prevent all the attacks that bludgeon my network?
> This is a legitimate question, and I would appreciate a legitimate
> answer, rather than the usual blather that has dominated this list. 

Two words: AIR GAP.

Nothing could be simpler: don't put anything you wouldn't mind losing on
a box that connects to the intenet. 

Radical, I know--but if it works for JTF-CNA it certainly works for
me.

Speaking of the Devil, do you really think those delightful fellows
employed by JTF-CNA, NSA &c. really run to tell Microsoft and other
vendors everytime they find a hole/sidechannel/backdoor in their
software? Do you honestly think any man jack of them spends two seconds
concerning himself with this kind of anguished hand-wringing debate? 

Forget it. In their world, full disclosure is irrelevant. Dead. A bad
joke. Grow up and stop kidding yourselves. 

The ugly truth is that some of the greatest, most technically brilliant,
truly ethical-after-their-own fashion blackhats are pulling paychecks
from Ft. Meade. 

Ethical, because for them it's not about money.
It's about control. 
After all, "Information is Power".

They've been running rings around all you poor suckers for years. 

And as long as you aren't protecting your critical information yourself
with an air gap? Content to rely on corrupt scumbag snake oil vendors to
"protect you" as they pick your pocket and sell you out time and again
to the highest bidder? 

They always will.

In the end, it all comes down to blackhat vs. blackhat. 
He with the best tools wins.
Who are you writing tools for?


Ratel.


***



"Americans used to roar like lions for liberty. Now we bleat
like sheep for security." - Norman Vincent Peale.



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