Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!tellab5!vpnet!louisg From: louisg@vpnet.chi.il.us (Louis Giliberto) Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk Subject: Re: Georgia Tech's Restriction on Internet Access Message-ID: <1991Mar18.214218.29444@vpnet.chi.il.us> Date: 18 Mar 91 21:42:18 GMT References: <52892@cornell.UUCP> <1991Mar16.042742.19416@ddsw1.MCS.COM> Organization: Vpnet Public Access Lines: 38 In article <1991Mar16.042742.19416@ddsw1.MCS.COM> zane@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Sameer Parekh) writes: > > If a random hacker found out the root password, there wouldn't be >a problem. > If a random normal person (who knew how to use the system) found >out the root password, there would be a problem. I'm confused. Knowing or not knowing how to use the system has nothing to do with the danger involved (I wonder what rm *.* does? Let's see....). The danger is comes from the intent of the intruder, and only the intruder knows his intent. There is a problem if anyone knows it since he may tell others. Of course, the bigger problem is that all the security is bypassed with one simple password. Not very secure if you ask me. I remember reading an article in CuD about partitioning accounts or something like that. Maybe that would be a better way. At any rate, if there was an acceptable amount of access given, the only people who would be after the root would be those who wanted to cause harm rather than those who just want to upgrade their accounts so they can access USENET. The more access given, the less interesting the root account becomes. If, for example, they limited undergrads to viewing say 10 USENET groups and sending 20 letters per month (more with special permission), I, as an undergrad, would find that reasonable and serving both the student and the university in the best way. All this stuff is software dependent, not hardware dependent, so it can be changed to suit the policy. Shutting people out is not the right approach. Louis Giliberto -- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ! "As above, so below; as below, so above" -- The Kybalion ! ! "I don't trust him; he has dark hair" -- My girlfriend's mother ! ! "So I'm stupid; what's your point?" -- Me !