Comments on: Cyberterror 'overhyped,' security guru says

Officials claiming terrorists pose serious danger to computer networks direct attention away from common criminals, expert says.

[n3td3v]

Cyber terrorism is real

I guess these guys would have said the same before 9/11 happened. Cyber terrorism is real and its only a matter of time.

[Inetsec]

Easy does it Bruce....

Although I'd agree that cyber terrorism is somewhat over hyped I'd be extremely careful not to put your considerable weight behind turning all the attention to ID theft and cyber crime (opinion wise - physically you are somewhat skinny).

You have quite a few ears out there listening to what you have to say and I think you and I both know that as far as ID theft is concerned, ID theft is mainly related to dumpster diving and mailbox pillaging. There is not anything cyber related - other than maybe purchases made under an assumed identity. That is not a cyber related issue; it's an education / physical security issue.

The "old computer" issue and the rest of the interview also has me in somewhat in a snit. I agree to a point that old computers and the future degradation of rights is an issue, but come on Bruce. Were you in a bad mood the day of the interview?

Most of the "latest / greatest" ID compromises were accomplished via "recently deployed" systems (NT4 and above ? and yes there were other OS?s involved) that were just not kept up to date with current patches or had bad custom programs written by the violated company installed on them. That IS NOT an issue for Government spending. That is an issue for the violated companies to address.

One thing that I would hope that you and I could agree on is that "better, faster, cheaper" never works. Pick two, but trying to do all three spells disaster.

[jmanico]

YOU have no clue....

Did you REALLY say "ID theft is mainly related to dumpster diving and mailbox pillaging"? What a clueless statement - you lost me there....