[RTC List] 60 Minutes story: The Internet is Infected

[jankrpln at humboldt1.com]

Dear All,

I am very surprised to not find anyone posting to the RTC list today,
anything about last night's "60 Minutes" story describing among other
things:

- 15,000 new viruses created every day.
- Symantics now sends their virus updates out every five minutes.
- The Russian connection to malware (young hackers and no enforcement).
- The Conficker virus, currently residing in 10 million computers focusing
on corporations (in some for months) and awaiting instructions for
something on April 1st.

This fascinating story can be found at:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/27/60minutes/main4897053.shtml?source=mostpop_story

When a credible source like "60 Minutes" does this sort of story something
is going on.  To me Internet malware seems like the gorilla in the room. 
It is analogous to the Presidential Daily Briefing in August right before
the tragic events of 9/11.  A top-to-bottom review should be ordered by
governments and also by technology companies.  The Internet has already
been used in association with terrorist activities and warfare (recent
cyberwar actions from both sides when Russia sent troops into Georgia in
August).  Does anyone doubt that the Internet is not a target and a
vehicle for great damage done by terrorists and sociopaths?

I personally don't think anything will really happen April 1st, but I am
amazed that we are at the moment losing that battle - and that more isn't
being organized on the international level among governments similar to
international public health policies, laws, and enforcement.  Viruses and
worms are apt terms indeed.

Jan Kraepelien