With the launch of 'Windows Vista' operating system, one aspect which is receiving the world wide attention is its security aspects and how vulnerable it is to bugs, flaws, security holes and hackers. As mentioned in my editorial titled ' Using web mail for both office and personal use - The issues', no software or program or OS can be made 100% safe or hack proof. A software is either made out of a single programming language or a number of advanced and sophisticated technical languages. The security codes are devised by humans. Any thing man made, can be cracked. It will take time. That is all. The software companies keep developing security patches and release them regularly. Any business based on Intellectual Property is always like that. There is a certain element of trial and error. There is no limit to imagination, innovation and improvement. There are bound to be some flaws in the initial assumptions. The development of internet as a media of mass communications is mind boggling. It has enormous and tremendous advantages and has brought in number of changes in the way we do our business. However, there is a flop side to it. It has also brought in the Spam, UCE and Hacker menace. Let us study the evolution of software security companies.
The initial problem was that of spamming and the computer virus. The spammers created and sent out various dangerous viruses over the internet. This developed the AV industry. In the initial days, many people did not even understand what a computer virus meant. I personally know of a very senior banker in Kenya, who said that he is afraid to touch his computer, because of virus infection threat !! He was literally under the belief that dangerous viruses could travel through the computers and infect humans. This was in the year 2000. There is a very strong feeling amongst many common computer users that it is the AV companies that encourage unscrupulous people to make new viruses, so that they can come up with some anti dote and sell more AV software. No computer user today can afford not to have an AV software installed and not be on auto update. The AV industry is valued at $ 8 to 10 billion at a very conservative estimate.
Next came the hacking problem and hackers. They are a more dangerous breed. They can break into large systems and obtain valuable data like mailing lists, credit card, bank details and other valuable databases. It led to the development of encryption technology. Today it is at 256 bit encryption stage. The 128 bit encryption technology is now seen as obsolete. Nobody uses 64 bit encryption technology any more. It was the industry standard in 2002. The 32 bit encryption technology was evolved around 2000. The encryption technology is another business that runs into billions of dollars.
The software security companies, hackers and all those interested in the trade have vested interests. It is simple. Any bug or flaw can be exploited for profits. It suits them. They have to look for such bugs and flaws because they have to make money. In the early days of software development, the companies which developed the original programs were smug and when the defects were pointed out, they just acknowledged it with a polite thank you or a handshake. They did not reward the informer or finder. This led to a different reaction. Some people realized that they could exploit the weaknesses to their financial advantage with the explosion of the internet. Many expert hackers started advertising on the internet, their skills and wares like hacking and spying tools. Over a period of time, it has become another multi billon dollar business. if you have spying software on one hand, you also have anti spying software to counter them, on the other.
Now to expect people to be ethical in such a scenario will be naive and unwise. Why did the door-lock industry develop ? Why do we lock our front doors and cars ? Are all people thieves around us ? Why do we need guards ? In some Islamic societies and countries, you can leave thousands of dollars on the road in a bag and nobody will touch it. In most places, it will disappear in front of your eyes. The problem is all due to quick and easy money. I read in the New York Times that some software security companies have offered tens of thousands of dollars reward to people who can find flaws in the new Windows Vista OS. This means that they are not competent themselves to find them. It is similar to a medical doctor who cannot identify the problem from the symptoms, but can give the medicines once it is identified. There are many like that. Diagnosing is all important. Treatment any fool can do. The cure takes its own time.
In no other industry you will find such a phenomenon. Any other industrial product would have disappeared permanently in such a scenario. The software industry makes new programs. They can't avoid the bugs or flaws or security loop holes, completely. Some others in the same industry will exploit it to their advantage. Than the companies will come out with improved versions. There will be more new holes in it. However, instead of grumbling about the industry practices, let us accept its limitations and focus on its strengths.
Of course, we have a choice. Stop using computers, internet etc., But would that be possible today ? I just can't imagine myself typing this page on a manual typewriter with the innumerable corrections and revisions I have to make. How will I publish it ? Would it have been possible for over 10 million people, all over the world, to be aware of small and ordinary people like us without the internet ? Would it have been possible for me to read the New York Times or FT or IHT or LA Times or the Sydney Morning Herald, everyday, without the net ? We have to maintain a love-hate relationship with this software industry. We do not have much of choice. We just cannot imagine a world without computers, internet and software today. Many people may not like Microsoft and its Windows OS. It is an undeniable fact that without it the world would not have seen so much of development. If Sanitation is rated as the most important scientific discovery ever, than the GUI (Graphical User Interface) developed by Microsoft is the most important technical innovation ever. Instead of hating and being envious or jealous, one should admire them. They have every right to protect their interests. For too long copyright infringement and piracy has been going on with impunity. Many take advantages in the loopholes in laws. From that point of view, the recent action taken by Viacom in asking Google to remove its contents from 'You Tube' is quite right. TV programming costs a lot of money. Why should the owner of copyrighted material request someone to remove the material that is owned by him or her ? I am not a lawyer but it doesn't make sense to me. The digital millennium copyright act needs a number of amendments and changes to protect the owners. The objective of any law should be to make a level playing field and let the best man win.
This was first published in January 2007 as a pay article. It is revised and updated for global readership.
© Copyright, Jul 31-08 . Without prejudice. All rights reserved
Vulnerabilities in Software, Hackers and Software Security Companies - To learn more about this author, visit Madhavan T Gopalachary's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 |
Related Articles |
|
 ClickJacking – Another security challenge meets you on the Internet
|
| |
Click Jacking is a technique used by the Internet Hackers in redirecting the traffic from your intended web site to another website which has the ability to infect you.
|
|
Smart Phone Security
|
| |
Many people have had difficulty understanding how to best protect their smart phones from being hacked. Smart Phones were introduced as being able to simplify your daily life, and the demand on the manufacturers was...
|
|
Vulnerabilities in Software, Hackers and Software Security Companies
|
| |
Many people may not like Microsoft and its Windows OS. It is an undeniable fact that without it the world would not have seen so much of development. If Sanitation is rated as the most important scientific discovery...
|
|
Why is my Website's page title important?
|
| |
When it comes to improving your Website's page ranking many miss one of the most valuable real estate areas for spiders that crawl your site.
|
|
Security in the Digital Age
|
| |
Hackers, phishers, worms, adware, spyware, and spammers are popping up at high-speed and wreak havoc on computer systems worldwide.
Security breaches are both detrimental to customer relations and can be extreme...
|
 |
Related Businesses - Evan Elite Authors |
|
Dr. John Oda
John Oda Ph.D NLP is a business peak performance expert, an author, and speaker frequently called upon to provide corporate training, workshops and seminars for many companies in the United States. He is an expert in coaching sales and business professionals in overcoming the behaviors and obstacles that may impede their sales results and affect their bottom line. Since 1995, John has created a speaking bureau such topics, which include: time management, sales training, human diversity, leadership programs and etc. He provides companies with a strategic plan to increase their bottom line by over 25 percent yearly. - Visit Dr. John Oda's Website |
|
Accessible Business Consultants
Dave Turkin, President, of Accessible Business Consultants is a full service business consultant that has over 32 years of experience working with small-medium size businesses. Dave has designed and implemented numerous business and marketing plans, designed internal programs for accounting and operational procedures. He has analyzed businesses and prepared strategic plans setting budgets for growth, expansion and business restructuring.
He currently sits on the Board of Directors of various corporations as an advisor. For many years he has been the Business Coach to many executives offering advice and guidance from old and established companies as well as new companies just getting started.
Dave has the ability to analyze a business quickly and get a strong indication as to the necessary steps to improve operations, productivity and profitability. - Visit Accessible Business Consultants's Website |
|
David Barr
David Barr is the President of Venture Opportunities, Inc. David has been a professional business broker/intermediary since 1980 focusing on General Business Brokerage and Mergers and Acquisitions representing client transaction value from $400,000 to $20,000,000. Mr. Barr has handled the sale of over four hundred and fifty companies. David earned a university degree from the State University of New York majoring in economics and business.
David holds the Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary and the Certified Business Intermediary designations from the International Business Brokers Association. He is also a Senior Business Analyst and a Texas licensed Real Estate Agent. For more information about David and Venture Opportunities, visit www.bizdealmaker.com. - Visit David Barr's Website |
|
Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Are your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales success or one of the many who have failed to change? So what are you doing to change those results? Let’s be honest, with companies moving globally and at lightening speeds, the traditional business solutions are outdated and dead. My approach moves your business out of its comfort zone and secures your competitive advantage now. If you are seeking to increase sales, build customer loyalty, create a culture of great attitudes or just achieve some sleep filled nights, then we should talk because my clients have experienced exactly those types of results. Learn more about customer loyalty at http://www.processspecialist.com/customer-loyalty.htm Give me a call at 219.759.5601 for a free strategy session. P.S. If you are seeking a motivational speaker, sales trainer or small business expert that will leave your audience smiling and remembering, please feel free to contact me at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
|
The Evan Elite Authors program is currently in beta phase. For details please contact us.
|
|
|
Madhavan T Gopalachary
(Visit Madhavan's Website)
Madhavan Gopalachary, nick name "madgopes"
(g pronounced as in go) given by IIT
classmates, is a Mechanical Engineer and
an alumnus of Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras having passed out
specializing in IC Engines &
Thermodynamics.
He has nearly 35 years of experience in
the Corporate World. He started off as a
trainee and handled sales, marketing,
manufacturing, product management, profit
center management, strategic planning and
corporate development including R & D in
various organizations and at various
levels before becoming a CEO. His last two
professional assignments were at CEO level
before embarking to start management
consultancy business on January 01, 1998.
He has worked for British, Swedish MNCs as
well as very large Indian business houses.
He has spent a large portion of his time
from June 1998 till date in East African
Countries practicing as an independent
Management Consultant.
More details can be obtained at the
following web sites:
mmg.name
/mtg.html;
mmgconsu
lting.biz/
Madhavan's articles can be accessed at www.madgopes.com
.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
