Intelligence

DATE=8/14/01

TYPE=Computer Digest

NUMBER=7-35159

TITLE=Internet, Code Red, Security

BYLINE=Dan Noble

TELEPHONE=202 619-1014

DATELINE=Washington

EDITOR=Nancy Smart

CONTENT=

Technology)

INTRO: On this edition of Computer Digest: Faster Internet connections. And concerns about computer security. Dan Noble has details.

DN: While millions of Americans still log on to the Internet over slow speed - up to 56 kilobits per second - dial up modems, high-speed connections are gaining in popularity. A report released this month by the Federal Communications Commission finds that more than seven million homes and businesses in the United States now subscribe to high-speed service providers, which route the Internet over so-called DSL lines, coaxial cable or via wireless technology. While wireless technology represents a small fraction of the total high-speed Internet connections in use, the number wireless links to the Internet grew from 50,000 in December 1999 to more than 110,000 by the end of the year 2000. Many of the new connections are at speeds of up to 400 kilobits per second. The total rate of growth for the year 2000 was 158%. High-speed service subscribers are now found in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The growth is expected to continue this year.

MUSIC: BRIDGE 1

DN2: In recent weeks, government and industry groups have been working together to address the threat of what's called the "Code Red" Internet Worm. Once infected with the malicious self-propagating program, compromised systems may have their files altered or destroyed. In some cases, a variant of Code Red leaves a backdoor a way for intruders to enter certain computers running the Windows 2000 operating system. In all, there may be as many as eight different versions of the worm. Electronic fixes, known as patches, are now available to prevent Code Red from doing any damage. Even so, computer experts say that several hundred thousand computers may have been infected since Code Red was first discovered earlier this year.

MUSIC: BRIDGE 2

DN3: The threat from Code Red, and other assorted harm-producing computer programs, suggests that no business can afford not to be fully protected from high-tech intrusions.

ACT 1: JIM SINCLAIR (0:15)

"Our intelligence work is to explain to people where they might have a security problem in the next little while. If we receive reports that the company is about to be under attack, or targeted by either internal or external threats, we do tell the company."

DN4: James Sinclair is president of Global Network Security Services, one of many companies which offer ways to protect computers. He says that, among other businesses, security is a major concern to America's motion picture industry.

ACT 2: JAMES SINCLAIR (0:21)

"It happens because in the extensive process of making a movie and converting it to the digital format, it passes through numerous hands, numerous companies. Within these companies and within the hands it passes through are internal threats people are walking out or transferring, digitally, this media on to the outside network and uploading them onto the public domain."

DN5: Mr. Sinclair says that in some cases motion pictures are being copied for monetary gain.

ACT 3: JAMES SINCLAIR (0:09)

"But, on the other side of it, those that do penetrate a network from the outside hackers, or whatever you wish to call them the gain is the trophy, the proof that they could actually get the data."

DN6: But James Sinclair says some companies underestimate the threat to their computer systems.

ACT 4: JAMES SINCLAIR (0:17)

"They sometimes don't understand the level of risk and the ease that the data can leave the company. It's that they don't want to believe us because they believe they are secure and because they really don't understand the risk and they really don't understand the security threats that are out there."

DN7: A problem faced by James Sinclair, and others who seek to design ways to ensure computer security, is that the technology changes so fast.

ACT 5: JAMES SINCLAIR (0:14)

"What is maybe today 100%, tomorrow is maybe 60-65%. So, you have to ensure that they are constantly evolving, they are constantly taking proactive measures to ensure that their network and their data is secure from both preying eyes, both from internal and external threats."

DN8: James Sinclair is president of Global Network Security Services.

And that's this week's edition of Computer Digest. (SIGNED)

Neb/dn/nes