more on Caution suggested during NSF "virus scans"

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Joe Touch <touch () ISI EDU>
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 14:44:23 -0800
To: <dave () farber net>
Subject: Re: [IP] Caution suggested during NSF "virus scans"



David Farber wrote:
> ------ Forwarded Message
> From: George Sadowsky <George.Sadowsky () internews org>
> Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 12:02:15 -0500
> To: <dave () farber net>
> Subject: Caution suggested during NSF "virus scans"
>
> Dave,
>
> For IP if you like ...
>
> The National Science Foundation now has a policy that if you visit
> their building in Ballston and if you have a laptop with you, you
> must have it "scanned for viruses" even if you don't plan to open it
> up.
>
> I carry a Mac G4 15" Powerbook running OS 10.3.6.  I've gone through
> this process twice at NSF.  The first "scan" appeared to consist of a
> staff member seeing my anti-virus program and recording my MAC
> addresses (Ethernet and wireless), possibly for retroactive diagnosis
> in the event of problems.

They seemed not to know that MAC addresses are configurable. When they
asked mine, I asked them to tell me what they wanted it to be ;-) They
seemed very surprised that it wasn't fixed.

FWIW, IMO, having a third party run software on your laptop IS a virus.

Joe

------ End of Forwarded Message

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