Internet hacking and security
I attended a seminar on Internet Hacking and Security held on 6 May 2000 at CityU of Hong Kong, organised by the Office of Sin Chung Kai (the Legislative Councillor) and eleven professional bodies which concern about Information Technology issues. The date seemed most suitable for the occasion as it was in the middle of all the hot discussions and concerns over the 'I Love You' hacking attacks, and the seminar was attended by more than two hundred professionals and concerned individuals. I have learnt a lot from this 3-hour seminar.
Most speakers explained various hacking attacks and suggested security actions needed by individuals, organisations (building and updating firewalls and making sure they work properly, managing passwords, etc.) and the Government (establishing CERT for sending alarm signals and rescuing, etc.) to protect against intrusions. A few speakers raised the urgent need for educating students and the community.
As many hackers are only teenagers (not what believed to be IT experts with degrees) who have the desire to succeed and excel but in negative ways, I have realised that education (social action) is not enough. To deal with the source, we really need a spiritual warfare. As Christians, we need to understand better what are within these young people's hearts and then systematically organise for cleaning the dirts in them. This should be the most effective way overcome the problem at source. Warfare using IT weapons only will be never ending and wasteful human energy and resources.
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