Between a hacker and a hard place; data-security export law puts businesses in a bind

Article Abstract:

Software and hardware vendors in the US continue to do battle with government officials over restrictions on the exportation of encryption technology. The US government prohibits American firms from selling advanced data security encryption tools overseas. Government officials argue that such technology could be used to the detriment of the country by criminals or hostile regimes. Officials such as Bill Moroney, Pres of the Electronic Messaging Assoc, argue however that export controls do not prevent criminals from gaining access to cryptographic tools. Moroney states that the ban on exports only hurts US software firms by preventing them from offering encryption programs in global markets. There are some signs that the US government may be altering its stance on encryption technology. Some analysts believe that the government may soon shift away from its backing of the Clipper-based encryption system. Under the Clipper system, law and government officials would have held code keys to decrypt scrambled digital messages.

Laws, regulations and rules, Encryption, Data encryption, International trade, Cryptography, Government Regulation, Government Activity

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On the Net: an Intel computer security expert runs afoul of the law. So much for the 'hacker ethic'?

Article Abstract:

Intel's suit against Randel L. Schwartz, one of its former systems administrators, is making hackers less likely to report faults they find when probing others' systems. Schwartz used a program called Crack to determine if he could decode user passwords found on the Intel system. Schwartz believes that discovering security flaws is an integral part of a systems administrator's job, and others tend to agree with him on that point. Intel disputes Schwartz's techniques, which include actively trying to breach a systems' defenses. Schwartz became the object of the lawsuit after he used Crack to investigate his former division after moving to a new division within the company. Schwartz claims he did nothing wrong, since he had no intention of harming Intel. Observers point out that a company should know about computer vulnerabilities in any department, because a breach could leave the entire corporate network open to attack.

Officials and employees, Cases, Intel Corp., INTC, Litigation, Lawsuit/litigation

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Security is lost in cyberspace

Article Abstract:

Computer security experts say that there is an ongoing epidemic of data security violations which could become worse if the millions of users who are using the Internet do not take precautions to secure their systems and data from intruders. The methods of computer security intrusions are becoming more sophisticated in response to the increasing sophistication of data security tools. Hackers are targeting not only large corporations and government agencies but also data within homes and offices. A recent case involving an America Online user involved the hackers taking over the user's account, intercepting e-mail and sending threatening messages. Company officials at America Online say that it is difficult to provide strong security when they are trying to make the service accessible to as many users as possible.

Forecasts and trends, Industry trend, Crimes against, Crime

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