IP: AP on ICANN

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> http://www.newsday.com/templates/misc/printstory.jsp?slug=sns%2Dap%2Dattacks%2Dinternet%2Dsecurity1111nov11&section=%2Fnews%2Fnationworld%2Fwire

Internet Relies On Root Servers
By ANICK JESDANUN
AP Internet Writer

November 11, 2001, 3:59 PM EST

NEW YORK -- Imagine if someone were able to switch all interstate highway 
signs so motorists never reached their intended destinations.

The Sept. 11 attacks have heightened concerns that the Internet could be 
vulnerable in that way, prompting a security review by the body that 
oversees the worldwide network's core computers.

The Internet's guardians are worried that pranksters, thieves or even 
terrorists could tamper with the computers' directories and misdirect Web 
surfers to sites that disseminate propaganda, spread viruses or capture 
credit card numbers.

Under a more severe but less likely scenario, hackers could trip the Net 
altogether by crippling the directories.

Though these threats have long existed, the Internet Corporation for 
Assigned Names and Numbers decided after the terror strikes to devote most 
of its annual meeting to such scenarios.

M. Stuart Lynn, ICANN's chief executive, said the discussions this week are 
designed to comfort the public: "We start with a good system and are trying 
to understand areas where it can be improved."

<snip>


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