Hackers target UW computers, threaten personal information

Computer problems, particularly personal information siphoned from internet users, are growing more common, and hackers across the globe are taking aim at UW computer systems, with attacks coming every second, according to UW officials.

Recent high-profile identity theft cases and an increase in scams "phishing" for personal information have caused concern for computer technicians across the globe and at the UW.

A laptop stolen Sunday from the University of California at Berkeley contained personal information and Social Security numbers of more than 98,000 graduates and students.

On the Internet, hackers are constantly looking for vulnerable computer systems, trying to access personal information from large companies and universities, said Terry Gray, associate vice president of UW Computing and Communications.

And with more than 75,000 computers wired to UW networks in dorm rooms, computer labs and libraries, computer support technicians are constantly worried about threats to the UW's massive networks.

"This is one of the things all computer support people lose sleep worrying about," said Gray. "If anyone at UW has or uses a computer that is not properly patched, or if someone clicks on an e-mail attachment containing a malicious program, or clicks on a Web link that takes them to a fraudulent Web site that convinces them to provide personal information, then such info is at grave risk."

The UW employs a commercial "intrusion prevention system" and e-mail scanner programs, which deflect most attacks.

UW technicians aren't the only ones worried. Thousands of students across campus in the dorms are also at risk for computer hacking problems, although the UW offers protection that makes its networks safer than most.

Wired in at Mary Gates Commons last night, senior Ryan Price admitted he has had problems with his computer, and with the rise in hacker activity worldwide, it's no surprise.

"I actually changed from Windows to Linux to get away from the security problems," said Price, a math major.

Price said he doesn't know what caused the problems, whether it was computer viruses or someone hacking into his computer, but he decided to make a change to curb the problem.

The biggest risk to users and the UW are unmanaged computers that aren't regularly maintained with security updates.

UW Computing and Communications offers free virus scanners and computer protection to all students, but many problems remain, such as phishing schemes that try to trick web surfers into exposing personal information, often through phony Web sites and e-mail scams.

"Even if your computer has been properly managed, it is easy to be tricked into doing something unsafe by a clever but fraudulent e-mail," Gray said. "Understand that phishing is a social attack, not a technical one, and there are only limited ways in which technology can help."

Peer-to-peer file sharing networks, such as Napster, have also been criticized because they can make personal information saved on computers available to other users.

Most of those attacks can be prevented by careful vigilance and keeping computers updated.

"The most important issue is to raise awareness that people should not just blindly click on links in e-mails, nor ever give out personal information, including login IDs and passwords, on sites that are linked from e-mail messages," Gray said.