This is only a preview of the June 2002 issue of Silicon Chip. You can view 28 of the 96 pages in the full issue, including the advertisments. For full access, purchase the issue for $10.00 or subscribe for access to the latest issues. Articles in this series:
Items relevant to "Remote Volume Control For Stereo Amplifiers":
Items relevant to "The Matchless Metal Locator":
Items relevant to "Compact 0-80A Automotive Ammeter":
Articles in this series:
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
www.siliconchip.com.au
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Leo Simpson, B.Bus., FAICD
Production Manager
Greg Swain, B.Sc.(Hons.)
Technical Staff
John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.)
Peter Smith
Ross Tester
Jim Rowe, B.A., B.Sc, VK2ZLO
Rick Walters
Reader Services
Ann Jenkinson
Advertising Enquiries
Leo Simpson
Phone (02) 9979 5644
Fax (02) 9979 6503
Regular Contributors
Brendan Akhurst
Rodney Champness, VK3UG
Julian Edgar, Dip.T.(Sec.), B.Ed
Mike Sheriff, B.Sc, VK2YFK
Philip Watson, MIREE, VK2ZPW
Bob Young
SILICON CHIP is published 12 times
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ISSN 1030-2662
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2 Silicon Chip
Viruses on emails are a
huge problem
This month we are running a feature on firewalls for your computer. This is a subject which
is very close to my heart; not because I like it
but because I am constantly aware that we are
under attack. Literally.
It is a sad fact that anyone and everyone who
has their computer connected to the Internet
is constantly being scanned for weaknesses by
people who can only be described as parasites.
If you read nothing else in this issue, make sure
you read the article on firewalls beginning on
page 16. Read it and act upon it because unless
you are doing everything advocated in the article, your computer and your
files are extremely vulnerable.
Maybe you don’t use the Internet but just have email. But if you are
sending and receiving email from your computer, you are still connecting
to the Internet. You are still likely to be under attack from the mind-boggling and constantly growing armada of viruses and other nasties out
there. Every day we get another virus attack and very occasionally they
get through the chinks, even though we update virus definitions as soon
as they are available.
It beats me why there are apparently so many people in the world who
get such a thrill from creating and propagating viruses. It is such an act of
bastardry - nothing less. We have already had the hard disk on one of our
machines trashed by a virus.
Make no mistake. Sooner or later some large (and many a small) company
is going to be so badly affected by a virus that their records will be destroyed
and they will go out of business. When that occurs, a lot of people will lose
heaps of money and their jobs. Is that the thrill that these mental defectives
are hoping for?
I suppose when that happens, the authorities will then start to get serious
about hunting down these people. Sure, the great majority of viruses come
from overseas but then maybe the government should start applying pressure
to those countries which have the greatest number of parasites.
Do I sound paranoid? I am. Even though we have a firewall, we still make
sure that the modem is turned off at night. After all, if a trojan program
becomes embedded in your system and it is turned on all the time, there is
nothing to stop it dialling out at night and squirting your files out to who
knows where.
Just remember, the Internet is a fantastic place but it is also very dangerous. If your computer is unprotected and you have sensitive files on it, you
could be in trouble. And you may never know . . .
Leo Simpson
Queensland Electrical Safety Review
Finally, an update: the Queensland Government has carried out their
review of electrical safety regulations. They have ignored our suggestions
for an introduction of wiring regulations similar to that in New Zealand.
They are proposing more licensing, not less. They have not learned
anything . . .
You can check their 33-page document on www.eso.qld.gov.au
To make a submission: email mark.dearlove<at>qld.gov.au
www.siliconchip.com.au
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