Obtaining access to the Stanford network is just the beginning of the hackers' attacks into other network systems. Once a hacker obtains access to Stanford, he or she can hide activities and identity for long periods of time without being discovered. The Stanford network has been used to launch attacks on other sites around the country, giving the impression that Stanford is hacking the rest of the computing world. The tools that hackers use scan whole computer networks and drain valuable computer resources from Stanford. Sniffer programs generate log files that record activities on a computer.
Unprotected passwords are easy to locate in the log files.
Hansen says that every computer user at Stanford can help to protect our network against these intruders. In addition, system patches are important and should be installed when new ones are released. At the desktop level, Stanford computer users can do their part in deterring security breaches simply by using PC-Leland and MacLeland for all computer use both on and off campus. Hackers can get your password. Since the Stanford network is open and does not have a firewall, users need a SUNet ID and password to access services.