Re: [WinMac] Re: unix/ nt security diffs?
CHoogendyk@aol.com
Fri, 21 May 1999 08:10:42 -0500
In a message dated 5/19/99 11:55:47 PM, expresso@snip.net writes:
> I went ahead and posted this back to the WinMac list, because
>my advice is the same I had in my column on PRODIGY a few years ago...
>
> Basically, you let the users know that you leave the system
(relatively)
>unprotected so that they can enjoy the computer without impairment. You
>put them on the Honor System not to hack, and they won't. No challenge = no
>hacking - You'll be *surprised* how effective this strategy can be. This
>is sort of like a prison trusty. (!)
>
> The only downside with reduced security is that the users could
accidently
>download a virus or other rogue Java applet or macro virus, so you'll need
>to carefully evaluate the measures you have in place.
Dan, that's just plain naive.
This is not a small business or corporate workplace where you have a lot more
control over the social environment and a more mature group of users.
A large state university can be absolutely nuts in terms of hacking,
vandelism and theft. You talk about trust as though it exists in an isolated
microcosm. We attached about a dozen inexpensive headphones to some of the
public workstations for use on multimedia web sites. Within two weeks ten of
them were gone.
I don't know what else to say about it. It just seems you haven't experienced
it and don't understand it.
At home I have always had a policy of complete freedom and trust. But these
are my children. I have Macs at home. My 13 year old daughter has gotten into
programming and plays with ResEdit. I just tell her to be carefull and
explain what could happen. Even when they were preschool, I just backed up my
work and took the philosophy that if I lost something it was my own fault.
Working at Specular, I never had to worry about security or vandelism.
A state university is just a totally different environment.
You have to experience it to understand it.
Chris Hoogendyk
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