Re: The introduction problem and signatures, was Thinking outside the box

On March 19, 2013 at 09:02 [email protected] (Bill Cole) wrote:
 > 
 > More direct but probably unfair: end users chronically demonstrate in 
 > aggregate that they are a mob of idiots who would rather tolerate 
 > insecurity than think.

(yes that was trimmed severely, hope I didn't toss out the baby)

As someone who has shepherded many thousands of people onto the
internet I take a slightly different view:

Just because some would profit (monetarily and otherwise) from
enhanced security on the internet that doesn't necessarily make it a
good idea.

To take an extreme example: There is much concern about attacks on
power grid infrastructures via the internet.

My reaction: WHO THE #$@! TOLD ANYONE TO PUT POWER GRID
INFRASTRUCTURES ON THE INTERNET!

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Some security risks are no doubt acceptable in the large, and can be
reduced. For example relatively minor use of credit cards. It's a
nuisance to have a card absconded, but the benefit probably outweighs
the risk and incremental improvements are possible.

At this point I believe the biggest risk viz email is that the
downside (spam, phishing) is killing the medium itself, particularly
for anyone who might seek even a modicum of trust (e.g., your bank
trying to communicate with you, even low security communications.)


-- 
        -Barry Shein

The World              | [email protected]           | http://www.TheWorld.com
Purveyors to the Trade | Voice: 800-THE-WRLD        | Dial-Up: US, PR, Canada
Software Tool & Die    | Public Access Internet     | SINCE 1989     *oo*