Security: May 2004 Archives

At our cisco wireless course today, the topic of discussion was the possible theft of the source code to their router operating system IOS.

The register reports that according to Russian security portal SecurityLab, a hacker boasting he broke into Cisco's internal network and nicked source code for some versions of Cisco's IOS has posted a 2.5MB snippet onto an IRC channel as proof. Around 800MB of code relating to Cisco IOS 12.3 and 12.3t has reportedly been nicked. IOS 12.3 is the latest version of Cisco's software, widely used home office, branch office and enterprise routers. IOS 12.3t is an earlier test version. Access to Cisco's source code might make it easier for hackers to develop exploits.

If this is true I can see some troubling times ahead

Wal-Mart attracts further RFID flak | The Register

"Grass-roots consumer group Consumers Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion and Numbering (CASPIAN), which is fighting retail surveillance schemes, says that Wal-Mart's decision to tag individual items on its store floor using radio frequency identification or RFID violates a call for a moratorium issued last November by 40 privacy and civil liberties organisations."

For Those Scared of Offering Security One company says that their integrated desktop security product eliminates all the headaches caused by off-the-shelf software products such as firewalls and anti-virus, leaving only peace of mind, increased revenuesand security.

DoD issues wireless defense orders

After two years of internal policy debate, the U.S. Department of Defense last week issued rules that all branches of the military - as well as contractors and visitors - must follow to secure commercial wireless equipment and services.