bugged at USM

Date: Apr 18, 2004

bugged at USM

Date: Apr 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: nameless
"computers at USM have spyware on them, at least for some professors, but they cannot speak out for fear of retaliation later. Everyone knows the phones ARE being tapped on a regular basis. And, everyone knows and USM has admitted Itech has the equipment to monitor emails of "selected" faculty at will. Some grad students in COST were in fact "busted" for downloading inappropriate stuff, which in itself is not a "misuse" of the capability. But we know that now that capability is being misused. Phones are tapped. Most facutly are using cell phones EXCLUSIVELY. That ought to tell you something. I believe, and correct me here, that wiretaps like this are crimminal violations. I also believe that installing spyware and rearranging desktop icons without notifying the professor is also a crimminal violation Are the local media listeni"

Nameless, I am as paranoid as anyone: I went to a university with major componants sponsored by the CIA. But I don't know that I agree with you that everyone "knows" the phones are tapped, etc. It is possible, and it is good to be safe, just in case. But unless you actually know something you are not revealing, best to keep the warning to a maybe instead of a "certainty." In the kind of atmosphere in which we are living there is a thin line between advising cuation and creating panic. We need to be clearheaded right now.

However, if you know anything specific, or know of people who do -- things that can be researched -- share them with FS.

Date: Apr 19, 2004

Just how is this spyware getting on the computers? The majority of iTech’s workers are students, do you think if were told to install software to spy on people that a bunch of undergrads making minimum wage would be loyal enough to keep that a secret? I just don’t see how it could be installed on office computers. If you are talking about computer labs, I am sure there is some kind of software on them to prevent/alert for porn, etc. If you are talking about the logs on the servers, I hope you realize that every university, company, internet service provider, etc. keeps those kinds of logs. How do you think the RIAA got the names of kids to sue? All severs produce them, but I know from personal experience that the logs are massive and it would take a full time staff to sort through them to find what you are looking for. Also, those logs only identify IP address, and unless iTech has gotten their act together over the past year, USM’s IP log is horribly out of date. Last time I called the Help Desk to get a new IP address, we had to go through about ten of them before we found on that wasn’t already in use.

I think the only type of spying you need to worry about is good old fashion eavesdropping. Please be careful with the conspiracy theories. They are exactly what the opposition wants to see so that they can dismiss the opinions of supporters out of hand.

Date: Apr 19, 2004

Go to webster's glossary and look up "Webroot Spysweeper 2.0" (go and purchase it and you'll be okay)..