Xref: utzoo comp.dcom.modems:9112 sci.crypt:4441 alt.security:2092
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!apple!netcom!gandrews
From: gandrews@netcom.COM (Greg Andrews)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems,sci.crypt,alt.security
Subject: Re: Remote access to modem (was re: security functions in modems)
Summary: Access to the modem doesn't compromise computer security.
Message-ID: <1991Apr5.215301.13807@netcom.COM>
Date: 5 Apr 91 21:53:01 GMT
References: <3888.27f10f22@hayes.uucp> <1991Apr4.144615.22814@dce.ie> <1991Apr5.170644.3076@sctc.com>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  UNIX System {408 241-9760 guest}
Lines: 22

In article <1991Apr5.170644.3076@sctc.com> smith@sctc.com (Rick Smith) writes:
>I heard a rumor recently that some dialback modems are manufactured
>with a "backdoor" password that can't be disabled, which gives an
>outsider rather complete access to the modem. So check out your
>manufacturer closely. Evidently modem design/manufacturing skills are
>independent of good sense where security is concerned.
>

Access to the modem wouldn't compromise security on the computer.
If you give the matter some thought, the worst thing that can happen
is the caller could screw up your modem settings.  Big Deal.  That
still won't allow them into the computer.

There's no connection between modem access and computer security unless
the computer has no security at all.


-- 
.------------------------------------------------------------------------.
|  Greg Andrews   |       UUCP: {apple,amdahl,claris}!netcom!gandrews    |
|                 |   Internet: gandrews@netcom.COM                      |
`------------------------------------------------------------------------'