IP: Security firm warns of outdated software -- note displuted report

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-2073583.html

Security firm warns of outdated software

By Jim Hu and Evan Hansen
Staff Writers, CNET News.com
June 14, 2000, 4:00 a.m. PT

Outdated and untested software used to run the Internet address system has 
undermined online security, an Australian company is warning.

Sydney-based DeMorgan said 30 percent of the computers controlling the 
".com" domain name system (DNS)--including several of the highest-level 
root servers--are vulnerable to "denial of service" and other

The security firm released the widely disputed study last week, finding 
that just 20 percent of DNS servers in Australia have installed the 
recommended DNS server software, which received a substantial security 
upgrade in November. The firm also concluded that as many as 75 percent of 
DNS servers worldwide have failed to install the upgrade.