A highlight to IT (Computer) Security before I blog my usual...

[CuRRent MooD:] Dampened

[CuRRent Song:] None

[Last FooD/BeveRage:] Medicine / Milo

For all who have thought of the notions:

"I'll delay updating my Antivirus."

"Spyware/Malware cleaners are for experienced, rich and busy people. A normal person like me would be out of it, since they will not be on my PC."

"Why does Microsoft flood us with so many updates???"

This is a serious case in the State of Connecticut, United States of America. Links per mentioned:

InfoWorld: http://weblog.infoworld.com/robertxcringely/archives/2008/12/the_julie_amero.html

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Amero

Blog of Julie: http://julieamer.blogspot.com/

ComputerWorld: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9121839&intsrc=hm_list

To get a summarised idea of the case, read the Wiki link or the ComputerWorld link. It's something you may least think of while using a PC, but imagine the terror on Julie's face when she was pasted with incredulous accusations from parties that knew NUTS about technology and malware/spyware. This case highlighted some key issues:

1) IT ignorance can possibly get you into big trouble.
2) Lawyers may, and possibly do, get into all sorts of cases just to earn that buck. Even if it meant ruining a person's life and in the end did not get the original claim proven. This is clearly a case where all but the most cruel of people would curse and condemn the judiscation that went against Julie.
3) IT staff just had it harder nowadays - and you do really need to update your knowledge.
4) Your work environment does not protect you as much as you think.

When I read this case just now, I was chilled to the bone, and the heart went heavy. How could it happen, and why? It's clearly a case of so many things that can be prevented but did not happen. The last part of it? She was revoked of her teaching credentials and what I would say as a "going-through-the-motion" legal charge of USD$100. This case ruined her life, her reputation, and she lost the child in her as she had a miscarriage. I would get a good lawyer who wants to earn that buck to sue whichever shit people to claim back so much losses she incurred during the course of this case.

So much IT security loopholes - the OS, security software, firewall, lack of knowledge...wow, that can certainly kill.

Would you think twice about your computer security now?