off the beaten path: are smokers aiding terrorists?
Feb. 2007
It appears now it will be just as hard to separate the computer hackers from the ones with the hacking cough. We came across an interesting article about some of the additional effects the crack down on smoking in the U.S. is having. It would be totally amusing if it weren’t unfortunately a reality.
Smoke’ em if you got’ em
Smoking isn't just bad for your health; it’s bad for company security.
With companies banning smoking inside their offices, smokers are forced outside -- usually to specific smoking areas in the back of the building.
The doors leading out to them (smoking areas) are major security holes, according to a social engineering study undertaken by NTA Monitor Ltd. a U.K.-based Internet security tester.
NTA's tester was able to easily get inside a corporate building through a back door that was left open so smokers could easily and quickly get out and then back in to work, according to the company.
An experiment that would work in most offices
Once inside, the tester asked an employee to take him to a meeting room, claiming that the IT department had sent him. Even without a pass, he reportedly gained access unchallenged and was then able to connect his laptop to the company's VoIP network.
Hackers are turning to social techniques to infiltrate corporate networks. This latest social engineering test has proved that once inside a corporate building, an attacker can use social methods on employees to gain access to restricted areas and information if a rigid staff pass system is not in place."
Social engineering, in this sense, refers to con artists or hackers bypassing computer security by manipulating people to disregard normal security rules.
Get the full scoop
The article appeared on InformationWeek.com (www.informationweek.com), February 15, 2007.
Our Take
It seems like it is really not that big of a threat at first, but just think if someone wanted to come into an organization and plant a bomb. Then, it takes on a totally different perspective.
Smokers you need to know the company you keep. You may be killing yourself with your smoke, but please don’t kill the rest of us with your stupidity. Check all badges when you are not sure.
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