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Almost instantly, the media has started warning everyone that this will surely mean new attacks from hackers who, now they have access to the code's inner workings, will come up with new ways to break into our computers.

Of course it's pretty hard to believe anything the media says these days but do they have it right this time?

Actually, I don't think so.

Perhaps it's easy for me to say, because I tend not to run Windows 2K or XP on any Net-connected PCs -- but I don't think it's really worth raising too much alarm about what this leak means to the average fool in the street.

The reality is that evil hackers, worm and virus writers don't actually need access to Windows source code to wreak havoc on the Net. One only has to look at the rapid proliferation of the recent MyDoom virus and variants to realise this.

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Besides which, if Microsoft has done a half decent job of writing the code concerned, simply knowing *how* it works should not mean it becomes a trivial job to crack.

Just knowing how the tumbler mechanism in a safe works doesn't mean that you can become a safe-cracker does it?

And anyone can get ahold of the entire source code for Linux -- but this hasn't given rise to a raft of worms and viruses attacking that platform has it?

No, this code leak poses a greater threat to Microsoft than it does to the users of its code.

I expect that right now there are armies of Open Source programmers pawing over the code and looking for valuable hints as to how they can improve their own work -- or even provide a greater level of interoperability with Windows.

Quite frankly, that's got to be a good thing for all concerned -- although I doubt you'll get Microsoft to admit it.

What I'd like to see is an objective review of Microsoft's source by someone who is sufficiently skilled and experienced to actually tender a worthwhile opinion. That may well allow the rest of us to set our own expectations in respect to the number and magnitude of potential future vulnerabilities.

StopSpam.net.nz
According to this story from IDG, a new website, StopSpam.net.nz has been set up to help in the fight against spam.

Unfortunately, when I checked just a few minutes ago, the domain name appears to do little but point to the ISOCNZ/InternetNZ website.

I find it interesting to read in the IDG story however, how Keith Norris, as head of the DMA, has done a big U-turn in respect to his stand on the need for legislation to control spam.

Unless my Alzheimer's is playing up, just a few short years ago, Norris was busy arguing that there was no need for such legislation. Perhaps he's changed his mind because his own members' mailings are being lost in the rising tide of spam?

To the NZ DMA's credit however, I have to admit that I've never been spammed by one of their members so their own self-regulation appears to be working quite well. I still find it rather ironic that they're clearly suffering from spam to the same extent as the rest of us.

New Forums!
Yes folks, good news. The grotty ezboard forums have been replaced with a new phpBBS-based system that won't assault you with a myriad of pop-ups and other flotsam.

A big thanks to Managed Internet Solutions for offering to provide this service.

You can access the new forums over at aardvarkforums.co.nz

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