Stacks of Hacks
I freely admit I know absolutely nothing about computer hacking, and I’m sure I’m not secure enough with my various passwords and such.
But it’s getting a little crazy.
Earlier this week, the radio syndicator that distributes CBS Radio News, among other programs, was hacked…or, as they phrased it, the company “experienced unauthorized access to its IT environment, resulting in interrupted technical services.” In other words…they were hacked. That meant no CBS Radio News to stations, and more.
Yesterday, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics website was apparently taken down by a Russian hacking group. The group is called “KillNet” and they apparently target hospitals and medical facilities across the country; we don’t know if any of their hacks would hamper hospital operations or expose patient data.
Earlier this month, the Des Moines public school district was forced to cancel classes for its 33,000 students after being “alerted to a cyber security incident on its technology network.” And of course, multiple eastern Iowa schools had similar issues last fall as school was beginning.
This is far different than the good old days when someone would write their PIN on a piece of paper and keep it with their ATM card…or use “12345” as their computer password…or even better, a password of the word “password”. That’s innocence on an individual basis.
At the same time we’re being urged to use our phones to control everything, from kitchen appliances to home security systems, from bank accounts to medical data—perhaps it’s time to put the brakes on that shiny new app and think about just how much control we’re giving up.
Because our track record at staying one step ahead of the bad guys…isn’t all that good.
