Re: Connecting satellite locations via the Internet

["Roger Pence" <rp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>I understand the emotional impact of just putting a company's AS/400 on the
internet, naked, just waiting for pot-shots from who-knows-where.
[big snip]
>
> Not every piece of company information has the same need for security.  No
one gathers up the company's sales literature every night and locks it in a
vault.

Booth makes rational statements here that every shop should ponder. However,
there is a fundamental difference between hacking and the other common
exposures (the dumpster, for example) that Booth mentions: Hacking is
romantic. Hacking is sexy. Hacking is a hobby. There is an entire segment of
computer user who would like nothing more than to hack your AS/400 and screw
something just to say they did. Visit the newsgroup ALT.2600 if you think
otherwise.

The broader point Booth makes is quite important: Make informed, rational
decisions. Don't assume anything and understand your exposures.

I have never, ever heard of an AS/400 being hacked into using Telnet, across
the Internet or a private line. Someone, somewhere, though, will be the
first victim. And when it happens, it will be an ugly story and you'll be
glad it wasn't you!

rp


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