Editing 932: CIA
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | [[Blondie]] as a [[:Category:News anchor|news anchor]] is reporting on a | + | [[Blondie]] as a [[:Category:News anchor|news anchor]] is reporting on a hacker attack on {{w|CIA}} (hence the title) |
This comic is a reference to the attacks by a group briefly known as {{w|LulzSec}}, which was a splinter group from the internet community known as {{w|Anonymous (group)|Anonymous}}, also featured in [[834: Wikileaks]]. In the back of the news report in frame one is the logo that was used by LulzSec. The group was able to publicize several high profile attacks. They were able to briefly take down the CIA website using a DDoS attack. {{w|DDoS}} stands for Distributed Denial of Service in which the attacker uses many computers to send traffic to a host and render it incapable of answering requests from any other computer, effectively taking the site down. | This comic is a reference to the attacks by a group briefly known as {{w|LulzSec}}, which was a splinter group from the internet community known as {{w|Anonymous (group)|Anonymous}}, also featured in [[834: Wikileaks]]. In the back of the news report in frame one is the logo that was used by LulzSec. The group was able to publicize several high profile attacks. They were able to briefly take down the CIA website using a DDoS attack. {{w|DDoS}} stands for Distributed Denial of Service in which the attacker uses many computers to send traffic to a host and render it incapable of answering requests from any other computer, effectively taking the site down. | ||
− | This comic is pointing out the difference between what | + | This comic is pointing out the difference between what lay-people ([[Ponytail]]) and the computer expert ([[Megan]]) hear when seeing a story like this. Most people may think there is no boundary between CIA website and its internal network, and conclude hackers compromised USA intelligence service most precious data, which would be an incredible display of incompetence by the CIA and would have some pretty obvious negative side effects for CIA assets around the world. |
− | Computer experts, on the other hand, may compare the CIA website to a company's poster, so the damage done is much different and less harmful: the CIA's public relation capacities are hindered for a few hours. The damage from a DDoS is less | + | Computer experts, on the other hand, may compare the CIA website to a company's poster, so the damage done is much different and less harmful: the CIA's public relation capacities are hindered for a few hours. The damage from a DDoS is less catastrophic compromise of valuable federal databases, and more flash mob crowding in the lobby of the CIA offices and making life mildly inconvenient. |
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The title text is a transcript of a made up news report. A story similar to the attack is illustrated using old technology. This attempts to demonstrate how silly the news coverage of the real event is. The recruiting poster refers to the CIA website, as it is a PR tool with no connection to sensitive information. It being ten feet high refers to the fact that that the website is open to the public and has limited protections (as danger from a compromised site is low). The ladder technology refers to the DDoS attack, as these attacks are primitive, but possibly well coordinated. The plexiglass poster covers refer to website security tools that may be added to deter future vandalism. | The title text is a transcript of a made up news report. A story similar to the attack is illustrated using old technology. This attempts to demonstrate how silly the news coverage of the real event is. The recruiting poster refers to the CIA website, as it is a PR tool with no connection to sensitive information. It being ten feet high refers to the fact that that the website is open to the public and has limited protections (as danger from a compromised site is low). The ladder technology refers to the DDoS attack, as these attacks are primitive, but possibly well coordinated. The plexiglass poster covers refer to website security tools that may be added to deter future vandalism. |