Terminal Compromise
Page 67
While neither group has taken any overt legal action, FYI is formidably equipped to launch a prolonged court battle. Accord- ing to spokesmen for FYI, "the courts are going to have to decide whether electronic free speech is covered by the First Amendment of the Constitution. If they find that it is not, there will be a popular uprising that will shake the foundation of this coun- try. A constitutional crisis of the first order."
With threats of that sort, it is no wonder that most advocates of protective and security measures for computers are careful to avoid a direct confrontation with the FYI.
* * * * *
Foster Treason Trials Begin Jury Selection to Take 3 Months Associated Press
Unemployment Soars to 9.2% Worst Increase Since 1930 Wall Street Journal
SONY's Threat Soon Own New York New York Post
Homosoto Hackers Prove Elusive FBI says, "I doubt we'll catch many of them." ISPN
Hard Disk Manufacturers Claim 1 Year Backlog Extraordinary Demand To Replace Dead Disks San Jose Citizen Register
Security Companies Reap Rewards Fixing Problems Can Be Profitable Entrepreneur
Auto Sales Down 34% Automotive Week
92% Distrust Computers Neilson Ratings Service
Compaq Introduces 'Tamper Free' Computers Info World
IBM Announces 'Trusted' Computers PC Week
Dow Jones Slides 1120 Points Wall Street Journal
Senator Nancy Investigates Gov't Security Apathy Washington Times
Hollywood Freeway Halts Computer Causes 14 Hour Traffic Jam Los Angeles Times
* * * * *
A Day In The Life:
Without Computers
by Scott Mason.
As bad as a reformed smoker, but without the well earned battle scars, I have been, upon occasion, known to lightly ridicule those who profess the necessity of computers to enjoy modern life. I have been known as well to spout statistics; statistics that show the average homemaker today spends more time homemaking than her ancestor 100 or 200 years ago. I have questioned the logic of laziness that causes us to pull out a calculator rather than figure 10% of any given number.
I have been proven wrong.
Last Saturday I really noticed the effects of the Foster Plan more than any time since it began. I must confess that even though I have written about hackers and computer crime, it is axiomatically true that you don't notice it till it's gone. Allow me to make my point.
Have you recently tried to send a fax? The digital phone lines have been scrupulously pruned, and therefore busy most of the time.
The check out lines at the supermarket have cob webs growing over the bar code price scanner. The system that I used when I was a kid, as a delivery boy for Murray and Mary Meyers Meat Market, seems to be back in vogue; enter the cost of the item in the cash register and check for mistakes when the receipt is produced.
I haven't found one store in my neighborhood that still takes credit cards. Have you noticed the near disdain you receive when you try to pay with a credit card? Its real and perceived value has been flushed right down the toilet.
Not that they don't trust my well known face and name, but my credit cards are as suspect as are everybody's. Even check cashing is scarce. Seems like the best currency is that old time stand-by, cash. If you can make it to the bank. The ATM at my corner has been rented out to a flower peddler.
All of this is happening in reasonably affluent Westchester County. And in impoverished East Los Angeles and in Detroit and Miami and Boston and Atlanta and Dallas as well as a thousand Oshkosh's. America is painfully learning what life is like without automation.
* * * * *
OSO Puts Up Foster Defense Costs Effort At Saving Face Miami Herald
Hackers Hacked Off Accuse Government of Complicity Atlanta Constitution
Microwaves Go Haywire Timers Tick Too Long Newsday
1 Million School Computers Sit Idle Software Companies Slow to Respond Newsweek
Federal Computer Tax Bill Up For Vote John and Jane Doe Scream 'No'! San Diego Union
Cable Shopping Network Off Air 6 Months Clearwater Sun
Bankruptcies Soar 600% Money Magazine
Banking At Home Programs On Hold Unreliable Communications Blamed Computers In Banking
Slow Vacation Travel Closes Resorts But Disneyland Still Happiest Place on Earth San Diego Tribune
* * * * *
Hacker Heroes
By Scott Mason
I have occasionally wreaked verbal havoc upon the hacker communi- ty as a whole, lumping together the good and the bad. The per- formance of hackers in recent months has contributed as much to the defense of the computers of this country as has the govern- ment itself.
An estimated one million computer users categorize themselves or are categorized as hackers. After the Homosoto bomb was dropped on America, a spontaneous underground ad hoc hacker effort began to help protect the very systems that many of them has been violating only the day before. The thousands of bulletin boards that normally display new methods of attacking computers, invad- ing government networks, stealing telephone service, phreaking computers and causing electronic disruptions, are now competing for recognition.
Newspapers interested in providing the most up to date informa- tion on fighting Homosoto's estimated 8000 viruses, and methods of making existing computers more secure have been using hacker BBS's as sources.
* * * * *
Foster Defense Coming to An End Foster won't take stand New York City Times
AIDS Patients Sue CDC For Releasing Names Actors, Politicians and Leaders on Lists Time Magazine
FBI Arrests 15 Fosterites Largest Single Net Yet Miami Herald
Congress Passes Strongest Computer Bill Yet Washington Post
American Express Declares Bankruptcy United Press International
No New Passports For Travelers 3 Month Department Hiatus Till System Repaired Boston Globe
138 Foreign Nationals Deported Homosoto Complicity Cited San Francisco Chronicle
National Identification Cards Debated George Washington Law Review
* * * * *
Ex Foster Girl Friend Key
Prosecution Witness
by Scott Mason
A long time girl friend of Homosoto associate Miles Foster testi- fied against her former lover in the Federal Prosecutor's treason case against him today. Stephanie Perkins, an admitted high class call girl, testified that she had been hired to provide services to Mr. Foster on an 'as-needed' basis.
Over a period of four years, Ms. Perkins says she was paid over $1 Million by a '. . .man named Alex . . .' and that she was paid in cash at a drop in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
She stated that her arranged ralationship with Mr. Foster 'was not entirely unpleasant,' but she would have picked someone 'less egotistical and less consumed with himself.'
"I was supposed to report his activities to Alex, and I saw a lot of the conversations on the computer."
"Did Foster work for Homosoto?" "Yes."
"What did he do?" "Built viruses, tried to hurt computers."
"Did you get paid to have sex with Mr. Foster?" "Yes."
"How many times?" "A few hundred, I guess."
"So you liked him?" "He was all right, I guess. He thought I liked him."
"Why is that?" "It was my job to make him think so."
"Why?" "So I could watch him."
"What do you do for a living now?" "I'm retired."
* * * * *
Prosecution Witnesses Nail Foster Defense Listens to Plea Bargain Offer Newsday
50% Of Americans Blame Japan Want Revenge Rocky Mountain News
La Rouche Calls For War On Japan Extremist Views Speak Loud Los Angeles Time
12% GNP Reduction Estimated Rich and Poor Both Suffer USA Today
Soviets Ask For Help Want To Avoid Similar Fate London Telegraph
International Monetary Fund Ponders Next Move Christian Science Monitor
* * * * *
Securi
ty: The New Marketing Tool
by Scott Mason
American business always seems to turn a problem into a profit, and the current computer confidence crisis is no different.
In spontaneous cases of simultaneous marketing genius, banks are attempting to garner new customers as well as retain their exist- ing customers. As many banks continue to have unending difficul- ties in protecting their computers, the Madison Avenue set has found a theme that may set the tone of banking for years to come.
Bank With Us: Your Money Is Safer.
Third Federal Savings and Loan
Your Money Is Protected Completely,
Mid South Alliance Bank
Banks have taken to advertising the sanctity of their vaults and the protective measures many organizations have hastily installed since the Foster Plan was made public. In an attempt to win customers, banks have installed extra security measures to insure that the electronic repositories that store billions of dollars are adequately protected; something that banks and the ABA openly admit has been overlooked until recently.
The new marketing techniques of promoting security are not the exclusive domain of the financial community. Insurance compa- nies, private lending institutions, police departments, hospitals and most major corporations are announcing their intentions to secure their computers against future assaults.
* * * * *
Foster GUILTY! Plea Deal Falls Apart Sentencing Hearing Date Set New York Post
University Protests "Closed Computing" Insist Freedom on Information Critical For Progress US News and World Report
Fifty New Viruses Appear Daily Complacency Still Biggest Threats Tampa Tribune
NSA/ITSEC Agreement Near International Security Standards Readied Federal Computer Week
Justice Department Leads Fight Against Organized Computer Crime Baltimore Sun
Novell Networks Now Secure Government Computer News
OSO Offers Reparations: Directors Resign Wall Street Journal
American and Delta Propose Merger Nashville Tennessean
Citizen Groups Promote Safe Computing St. Paul Register
April 15 IRS Deadline Extended 90 Days Washington Post
49 States Propose Interstate Computer Laws Harvard Law Review
Courts Work Overtime on Computer Cases Christian Science Monitor
AT&T Plans New Encryption For Voice Communications
Microsoft Announces Secure DOS Admits Earlier Versions "Wide Open" PC Week
3500 Foster Viruses Identified: 5000 To Go Info World
National Computer Security Plan Cost: $500 Billion Wall Street Journal
An End Is In Sight Says NSA Public Skeptical New York City Times
Foster Receives Harsh Penalty: 145 Years Appeal Process Begins, Foster Remains in Custody Washington Post
* * * * *
The press is often criticized for 'grand standing' and 'sensa- tionalizing' otherwise insignificant events into front page news, but in this case the government said little about the media's handling of the situation. In fact, privately, the White House was pleased that the media, albeit loudly and crassly, was a key element in getting the message to the American public:
Secure Your Computers Or Else.
Everyone agreed with that.
* * * * *
December 17
Overlooking Charlotte Amalie,
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
"You must feel pretty good. Pulitzer Prize. Half of the writing awards for last year, nomination for Man of the Year."
"The steaks are burning." The hype had been too much. Scott alone had to carry forward the standard. He had become expected to lead a movement of protest and dissent. Despite his pleas, his neutrality as a reporter was in constant danger of compro- mise.
"It's kind of strange talking to a living legend."
Scott's deeply tanned body and lighter hair was quite a contrast to the sickly paleness of New Yorkers in winter. "Get the sprit- zer, water the coals and then fuck yourself."
"Isn't this what you wanted?" Tyrone scanned the exquisite view from the estate sized homestead overlooking Charlotte Amalie Harbor on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The safe enclosed harbor housed three cruise ships, but the hundreds of sailboats in the clear Caribbean dominated the seascape.
After the last year, Scott had decided to finally take time off for a proper honeymoon. He and Sonja elected to spend an extend- ed holiday on St. Thomas, in a rented house with a cook and a maid and a diving pool and a satellite dish and all of the lux- uries of stateside living without the residual headaches.
Their head over heels romance surprised no one but themselves and they both preferred to let the past stay a part of the past. Scott decided quickly to take Sonja at her word. Her past was her past, and he had to not let it bother him or they would have no future. Even if he was one of her jobs for a short while.
Scott's name was in constant demand as a result of his expos of Homosoto and the hackers. Fame was something Scott had not wanted specifically. He had imagined himself the great transla- tor, making the cacophony of incomprehensible technical polysyl- labics intelligible to 'everyman'. He had not planned for fame; merely another demand on his time, his freedom and his creativi- ty.
"What I wanted was a break." Scott poked at the steaks. In the pool Arlene Duncan and Sonja kicked their feet and chattered aimlessly. The perfect respite. The Times made Scott the most generous tenure offers in a generation of writers, and Scott recognized the fairness of the offers. It was not now, nor had it ever been a question of money, though.
"What's next?"
"The book, I suppose. The Trial of Miles Foster."
"And then back to the Times?"
"Maybe, maybe. I haven't given it much thought," Scott said watering down the coals to reduce the intensity of the barbecue inferno he had created. "I promised to help out once in a while. Officially they call it a sabbatical."
"How long do you think you can hold out on this rock before going nuts?"
"We've managed pretty well, so far." Scott said admiring his bride whose phenomenal physical beauty was tightly wrapped in the high French cut one piece bathing suit that Scott insisted she wear in honor of their more conservative guests. Tyrone, he was sure, would not have minded Sonja's nudity, but Arlene would have been on the next flight to Boston and her parents.
"Three months so far, and nine months to go. I think I can take it," he said staring at Sonja and motioning to the view.
Tyrone silently conveyed understanding for Scott's choice of an island retreat to get away from it all. But Tyrone's choices demanded his presence within driving distance of civilization.
"So the bureau wasn't too upset about your leaving?" Scott changed the subject.
"I guess not," Tyrone said laughing. "I was approaching mandato- ry anyway and I'd become too big a pain in their asses. Using your hackers didn't endear me to too many of the Director's staff."
"What about your friend?"
"You mean Bob Burnson?"
"Yeah, the guy we met at Ebbett's . . ."
"He got his promotion right after I left. I guess I was holding him back," Tyrone said with tongue in cheek. "On the other hand, I could have stayed and really made his life miserable. We're both at peace. Best of all? Still friends."
"I have to say, though, I never thought you'd go through with it," said Scott turning the steaks. "You and the Bureau, a thirty year affair."
"Not quite thirty . . ."
"Whatever. You've certainly built up a practice and a half in six months."
"Yeah," chuckled Tyrone. "Like you, I never planned on becoming a big player . . .Christ. Who ever thought that Computer Law would be the next Cabbage Patch Doll of the courts?" Tyrone saw the smirk in Scott's face. "O.K., you did. Yes, you predicted a mess in the courts. Yes, you did Mr. Wisenheimer. I just saw it as a neat little extension of constitutional law and then whammo! All of sudden, computer litigation is the hip place to be. Every type of lawsuit you p
redicted is somewhere in the legal system SEC suits, copyright suits, privacy suits, theft of data, theft of service."
"Sounds like everyone who was scared to admit they had a problem in the past is going balls to the wall."
"The Japanese lawyers are living their worst nightmare: OSO Industries is up to top of its colon with lawsuits, including one asking for OSO to be denied any access to the American market for 100 years."
Scott whistled long and loud, then laughed. "And that's fun?"
"You're goddamned right, it's fun," Ty asserted, popping another beer from the poolside cooler. "It's a shit load more interest- ing that rotting here," he spread his arms to embrace the lush beauty from their 1500 foot high aerie. "How much sun and peace and quiet and sex and water and beach can one man take?" He spoke loudly, like a Southern Spiritual Minister. "Too much scuba diving and swimming and sailing and sunsets and black starry nights can be bad for your health. This is a goddamned Hedonist's Heaven." He brought his hands to his side and gave a resigned sigh. "I guess if you can stomach this kind of life."