No Rules: Internet Security a Hobbesian "State of Nature"

I believe that where it would give the government an excuse to intervene, to tax it, regulated it and tax it more.

What I would like to see is when these cyber hacks and cracks are caught, punishment is severe to actually match the crime.

Ya really want them in the clink long enough to teach?

Thats a real catch 22. Experience is valuable.

What is really scary about this is the hacking of SCADA systems in industrial settings and extortion to power companies and the like, with threat of disrupting esssential services.

I sort of expect that the governments are used to sniffing each other's laundry by now, and the internet being another way of access, they will be protecting their "secrets" with the latest and best professional security.

But industry, and the grid, being accessible to hack attacks is physically dangerous.

with the complexity and difficulty of catching these cyber perpetrators, the involvement of powers that be (who use them?), the sense of power that comes with the ability to break in and get out undetected, no wonder these guys call themselves "god".

apparently the Internet has opened a Pandora's box of sorts.

wolves are out there hunting, and there's no silver bullet that will stop them.

Have you viewed this: National Disruption?

My personal security policy:

1. Never, ever store secrets on a computer.

2. Assume that rule 1 has been violated.

3. Disable all communications ports (Serial, USB, Centronics, Modem, Ethernet, WiFi) physically, on systems that may possibly contain secrets.

4. Assume the kids have figured out work-arounds for #3 so they can watch music videos on YouTube, which brings us back to #1.

5. Periodically, reformat the hard drive, after first insuring that your secrets have not snuck in to your backups.

6. Mount an incendiary grenade with trip wire on the computer case, such that the computer is destroyed should anyone try to relocate it (this is an old trick I learned during my days as a combat communications specialist for Uncle Sam).

7. Encryption is a waste of time. For every encryption scheme ever developed there are armies of hackers out there breaking the codes, just for the fun of it.

8. Assume your secrets have already been compromised, and take appropriate damage control actions.

9. Fortunately, there is already so much information out there that is freely accessible, that it is unlikely that your secrets will fall into the hands of those who would do you ill.

10. If you really need to guard a secret securely, broadcast it on Twitter as widely as possible- no one will believe it or take it seriously.

10. If you really need to guard a secret securely, broadcast it on Twitter as widely as possible- no one will believe it or take it seriously.

Hidden in plain site -- very effective and best proven way to thwart conspiracy theorists... If you're caught at least you'd not have waste copious time trying to evade.