Could you be responsible for the Twitter outage?
Of course you're not personally responsible for bringing down Twitter, but if your computer isn't equipped with up-to-date anti-malware software and the latest version of your operating system, you could unwittingly be part of the problem.
Twitter has confirmed that its outage Thursday morning and subsequent intermittent problems were due to an ongoing denial-of-service attack. Facebook also "encountered network issues related to an apparent distributed denial-of-service attack, that resulted in degraded service for some users," according to a company spokesperson.
Typically a DoS attack, which is often called a distributed denial-of-service attack, results when multiple computers simultaneously try to access the site in question. Usually the reason that happens is because the attacking PCs are infected with malware that does the dirty work for whoever is behind the attack.
As Symantec blogger Marian Merritt pointed out, "It's often the case that DDoS attacks come from computers infected with bots, turning them into zombie computers doing their cybercriminal's bidding. "
You can help prevent your PC from being part of such an insidious scheme by:
* Using a good anti-malware suite from a reputable vendor such as Symantec, TrendMicro, McAfee, ZoneAlarm, or CA. You can find trial versions of such programs as well as the excellent AVG-Anti Virus Free Edition at CNET's Download.com
* Making sure your operating system has the latest patches. Visit Microsoft and Apple security pages for information.
* Avoid clicking on e-mail links that take you to Web sites you're not familiar with (malware is often distributed through "drive-by downloads" from unreputable or infected sites).
Visit CNET's security center for more security news.
Podcast: Larry talks with CNET security reporter Elinor Mills about how the attack may have been aimed at a single individual who blogs about Georgia. The podcast runs 4 minutes and 53 seconds.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Larry Magid is a technology journalist and an Internet safety advocate. He's been writing and speaking about Internet safety since he wrote Internet safety guide "Child Safety on the Information Highway" in 1994. He is co-director of ConnectSafely.org, founder of SafeKids.com and SafeTeens.com, and a board member of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Larry's technology analysis and commentary can be heard on CBS News and CBS affiliates, and read on CBSNews.com. He also writes a personal-tech column for the San Jose Mercury News. You can e-mail Larry or follow him on Twitter @larrymagid. 
I *guess* there must be some Twitter users who continue using that service -- but, honestly, I don't know any.
While Macs are not IMMUNE to such remotely-executed malware installs, the actual likelihood is very small as a virtue of the underlying structure and inherent security of the real-world installs and usage patterns of the OS (as opposed to the "black hat" conventions which "prove" that the Mac OS is easily breakable) - and as a result, the overwhelming need for resource-hogging protectionist software packages is far less.
Think about it, kidz: When's the last time you've heard of a Mac-based botnet? Windows-based software and yes, the OS itself, are FAR more porous than the Mac OS - this fact has been proven over and over on a daily basis worldwide. As a credit to Vista, it seems that these porosity issues have been largely dealt with, however that has been somewhat overshadowed by the fact that it is apparently such an otherwise steaming pile of ummmm, shall we say "quality". There will, of course, be the frothing-at-the-mouth WinZealots who will happily (and quite vocally) disagree: let the flames begin! I can see it now: "MAC suXors!!"
To echo the sentiment of [no man], all users REGARDLESS OF PLATFORM CHOICE need to take personal responsibilty for their machines. Oh wait, that means that said users would already be taking personal responsibility for their LIVES as well - and that seems to be somewhat out of style these days.
I have a Windows machine not because I'm a fanboy, nor do I think its better than Mac or Linux, in fact I know that Windows OS's are in almost all ways inferior to OSX & Linux. I use a Windows machine because I can upgrade anytime I want, every couple years I can have a "Top of the Line" system for a fraction of what I would pay for a comparable Mac. I use Windows because I like to game, until Wine works with all Windows games, then I will stay with Windows. I have used Linux extensively and I love the freedom and usability, you can find nearly anything you need for free, but for me that isn't as good as having everything I need work almost all the time.
I think he was trying to urge people to keep their systems up to date, whether using Mac or PC. While the overwhelming number of infected computers are PC's, there is just a matter of time before people start turning toward Mac's vulnerabilities, especially as the market share increases. He didn't explicitly say that Macs are the cause, in fact the article only mentions Macs once, when he links how to update your OS.
In addition another very good Anti-Virus software is Avast, I have been using it for years and never been infected with anything.
There is no magic fairy dust protecting mac and linux.
Market share, in most cases, influences if not directly determines OS security.
This is just common sense people.
For example: When you read product reviews, you are far more likely to get a good overview of the pros and cons from 1000 reviews than a product with 10 reviews. Operating systems are no different. More people using = more flaws being discovered.
I promise you, if all the hackers in the world simultaneously switched their efforts to OS X, they would find more holes than a block of swiss cheese.
Incidentally I have a Mac mini and 2 Linux servers...I have security suites on all of them. Trust no one.
Hint: OS 9 had many many viruses, yet OS X does not. Care to argue that OS 9 had a larger market share?
But more importantly, when are we going to wake up and automatically update every online computer with the latest security updates as a default? And when are all of our ISPs going to be required to scan all email for viruses? These cheap attacks must cause more disruption and cost business more than would the cost of preventive scanning. For those geeks who don't want their computers to be updated, they can have special password-based protection, and a required registration for the privilege so that we can track back to them if they are really just criminals masquerading as geeks.
My responsible Big Brother solution still stands...
You can thank me later.
8^P
That people waste their time on this silliness is mindboggling.
Who cares? Nothing is impacted, other than the feeble minds of those who embrace this useless technology.
OMG! OMG!!
Good riddance.
I second and third all those above....not a thing will be missed. Sad and too much time. Better management is surly needed in the workplace if TWEETS are the norm!
I second and third all those above....not a thing will be missed. Sad and too much time. Better management is surly needed in the workplace if TWEETS are the norm!
- by soluto August 6, 2009 1:51 PM PDT
- Sort of feels like your hometown is under terrorist attack. Check out my CARTOON at http://www.pcdisorder.com/2009/08/denial-of-twirvice.html
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