[Year 12 IT Apps] Netbus Back Orifice - textbook concern

[Mark Kelly]

I agree it seems to imply that the tools are used for legitimate network 
monitoring.  There is discussion of hackers' use of these trojans but 
perhaps there should have been more emphasis on the fact that the named 
tools are malevolent.

Maggie Iaquinto wrote:
> 
> On p 238 of the Potts and Keane textbook, a paragraph contains a 
> discussion of desktop monitoring systems.
> 
> “Two popular and easily obtainable desktop monitoring packages are 
> Netbus and BackOrrifice [sic].”
> 
> Now, these two apps are viruses. They will be picked up on most systems 
> by virus detection software.
> 
> Are they popular? Most likely, with hackers.
> Are they easily obtainable? You bet. Just use a search engine and 
> download them.
> 
> 
> My concern lies with the lack of discussion that these tools are 
> viruses. No system administrator will use these tools because they are 
> not fully documented so we don't know exactly what is compiled in them. 
> Basically, they are backdoors --- and to where?
> 
> When I read that paragraph, it seemed that these tools are acceptable. 
> IMHO, they are not acceptable and would harm the system.
> 
> So, let's say there is a question on the final exam about desktop 
> monitoring and the ethics etc of using such tools. And the students 
> write that system administrators can easily download the popular Netbus 
> or Back Orifice programs. And let's say that an exam assessor, who feels 
> as I do that the use of such programs is harmful, marks it as wrong.
> 
> The Potts and Keane textbook has much which is laudable and commendable. 
> But, I think that this one section needs clarification.
> 
> I may have misread the paragraph and have drawn the wrong conclusions. 
> In the spirit of helpful, positive debate, what do others think?
> 
> Maggie
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-- 
Mark Kelly
Manager - Information Systems
McKinnon Secondary College
McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
Direct line / Voicemail: 8520 9085
School Phone +613 8520 9000
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kel AT mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au

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