@home

[David Walker]

If you want to read about what can happen when machines are allowed to
become zombies read 
http://grc.com/dos/grcdos.htm

Insecure machines are a danger to the internet.  Undernet and other chat
networks were the victims of massive DDOS attacks that convinced many of
those hosting chat servers that it wasn't worth the trouble.  Undernet
lost many servers that way.  DOS attacks took down a series of high
profile sites (yahoo, amazon, etc.  see
http://www.zdnet.com/zdhelp/stories/main/0,5594,2434548,00.html)

Running a web or mail server is not a danger to society but running a
machine with gaping security holes (ie nearly all windows machines) is. 
Since we can't easily rewrite or patch the problems our only other
recourse is to block them.

It looks like we all like the "opt out" plan.  Who's gonna go tell @home
that that's what we want?

On Thursday 23 August 2001 13:10, you wrote:
> Port blocking should be up to me and my OS/firewall.  I could easily
> agree to the compromise suggested about blocking by default and enabling
> when requested or any other compromise that allowed me to "opt out" of
> being protected from myself.
>
> Your assertion about the freedom to drive doesn't hold water.  Driving a
> motor vehicle in the state of Nebraska is a privilege that you receive
> when you agree to the terms of the license.   Also, there is a gigantic
> leap between the life of a child and running a home website/mail server.
>  Anyone who endangers the life of a child is a threat to society, the
> same can not be said about some one with a web server.
>
> -Jeff
>
>
>
> From: David Walker [mailto:linux_user at grax.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 11:23 PM
> To: olug at bstc.net
> Subject: Re: @home
> ...portions deleted....
> I hardly see how blocking a few ports is an impediment to you.  You
> signed up for access to the internet not for the internet to be able to
> access you.
>
> While I agree with the quote from Ben Franklin I am still willing to
> give up the freedom to drive 85 in a residential zone in exchange for
> the security of the pedestrians and children, etc.