Computer security experts issued a joint report on Wednesday saying that the ubiquitous reach of Microsoft Corp.’s software on desktops worldwide has made computer networks a national security risk susceptible to “massive, cascading failures.” Full Story

We survived Isabel. I think I have systems up and running to pre-storm levels, so let me know if you get a bounced email or if one of the websites is down.

Interesting effect captured with one of the Windows webcams.

Here in Northern Virginia we are getting ready for heavy winds and rain tomorrow afternoon and evening. Most offices and schools are shut down, and I sure the video stores are running low on movies. In the event of a power outage, the typepad blog will be fine, but all my other domains and email will go down. If you can’t reach me, it is because the Devost family is reading by candlelight!

And now for something completely different Stealth Disco

US terrorism experts are warning that more work needs to be done to avoid further attacks by extremists. The warning comes as the second anniversary of September 11 draws near. The US Department of Homeland Security said it was confident the country was now protected like never before.

But Matthew Devost, the head of the Terrorism Research Center, a private research firm, said it would be some time before the Homeland Security Department as a fully functioning, integrated unit.

He said: “We always use the analogy of trying to build an aeroplane during take off.

“They’re taking all these pieces and components, trying to integrate them into one department and still at the same time effectively increase the level of homeland security within the United States.
(more…)

When modern life halted for millions in the Northeast last month, people throughout the country asked if a blackout could strike them. Members of Congress have a more frightening question: Could someone cause such havoc on purpose?
(more…)

Bruce Schneier stoops to a new low in Cryptogram:

“And finally, I have a favor to ask. I’d like to see if I can subvert
the Amazon bestseller system and get to #1. My previous big book,
“Secrets and Lies,” made it to #4. (Harry Potter was #1, #2, #3, and
#5.) If everyone who plans on buying this book on Amazon waits until
12:15 PM Pacific time (that’s 2:15 PM Central Time, 3:15 PM Eastern
time, 8:15 PM UK Time, and 9:15 PM Western European time) on Friday,
August 15, and all does it together, I might make #1. Don’t worry if
you can’t do this, but I would appreciate it if you can. Thanks.”

A Department of Homeland Security advisory issued Thursday warns that al Qaeda is working on plans to hijack airliners flying between international points that pass near or over the continental United States. A Department of Homeland Security official said most of the flights fitting this description originate in Canada, and that U.S. officials have been working with Canada over the past month to ensure it is improving screening and other security measures. Full Story

The W32.Blaster worm may have contributed to the cascading effect of the Aug. 14 blackout, government and industry experts revealed last week.

On the day of the blackout, Blaster degraded the performance of several communications lines linking key data centers used by utility companies to manage the power grid, the sources confirmed. “It didn’t affect the [control] systems internally, but it most certainly affected the timeliness of the data they were receiving from other networks,” said Gary Seifert, a researcher at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory in Idaho Falls, referring to flow-control and load-balancing data that’s transmitted over public telecommunications networks. “It certainly compounded the problems” relating to the congestion of key communications links used by utilities to coordinate contingency efforts, Seifert added. Full Story