Is Dan Kaminski the modern-day Paul Revere? Some think so, after the 29 year old computer security specialist stumbled upon a potentially dangerous flaw in the basic way the internet is set up and called a secret meeting to alert mega programmers before going public. Afraid that hackers might take advantage of the flaw first, Kaminski rode "and spread the alarm, through every Middlesex village and farm." Which, given such modern day amenities as the internet, television, and newspapers, made his trip far faster than Revere's 1775 jaunt.
What Dan discovered was that it would be extremely easy for someone with ill intentions to divert internet users to fake websites that resembled sites they were familiar with, such as their bank's online services. Once surfers were on the fake sites, they would enter their private information where it could be accessed by the wrong hands. By annoucing the flaw, Dan has given the good guys a chance to fix the problem before their clients were taken advantage of. Already a large percentage of domains have been fixed, and others are on their way. With more personal business being conducted over the internet and identity theft a real concern, the fact that this hole can be patched ahead of time and not in the face of a large-scale problem is great news!
"In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere."
http://iht.com/articles/2008/07/30/technology/30flaw.php
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