NASA’s tight Internet security broken? No!

Internet security is comprised of many things. Firewalls, hidden communications, seperate computer network systems for internal and external communications, etc..

Computer security is also on this list, and this includes proper username and password planning, user access panning, etc..

It seems that NASA is lacking a bit on both points.

As reported by ZDNet of the U.K., who’s author stated that the ‘World’s biggest hacker of military networks’ “is no Neo”.

Indeed, the author specifically states:

The facts, as they are known so far, do not support the idea that McKinnon was a professional or even particularly expert. For one, he failed to conceal his IP address or use any false identities to cover his tracks. McKinnon also apparently used a very common port scanner that is widely available on the Internet. There is even the posibility that McKinnon accessed the military systems by checking whether any users had used the word ‘password’ as their log-in.

The real story here is how US authorities allowed a hacker with rudimentary tools to crack their systems. If he could do that, then the real experts must be wreaking havoc. Seen any havoc recently? Odd, that.

And Silicon.com reports that the 39-year-old from north London told The Guardian:

…he initially started his hacking career when looking for evidence of a UFO cover-up. Using a software program, Gary McKinnon was able to discover senior network administrators who didn’t use passwords.

Now, from both of these articles, you might get that there was quite a bit of sloppy Internet security going on at NASA, rather than a ’super hacker’ broke into NASA computer network.

From what I’ve read, I would agree with you.

Don’t let your Internet security be found to be as bad as NASA’s. Los Angeles Computerhelp can ensure that your Internet security works.