The OOB attack works on Mac and Unix systems in addition to Windows-based machines. The system doesn't know what to do, and usually crashes as a result. Microsoft has released patches for Windows NT and 95, though they can be difficult to find at Microsoft's Web site . I wouldn't want you to get the wrong impression here. Since Microsoft keeps a very tight leash on the NT source code, system crackers and hackers have to try harder to find weaknesses to exploit.
Firewalls are a key ingredient to any network that is hooked to the Internet.
Not all threats to your network are external and not all weaknesses are a result of bugs in the operating system. Users can directly or inadvertently compromise security. Intrusion Detection, Inc. is the maker of two useful tools that will help you get a handle on security. The Kane Security Analyst, which examines a wide range of issues, and the Kane Security Monitor, which monitors intrusion attempts. With the increasing use of NT comes a growing number of utilities that help network administrators manage their networks.