Truth About Computer Security Hysteria
Memo to FBI NIPC webmaster
Rob Rosenberger, Vmyths co-founderSunday, 6 January 2002 VMYTHS SOMETIMES MUST clarify a statement or correct an error. We created "Vea Culpa" to serve as our corrections editor.
Vmyths holds itself to a high standard when we blow it — and we hope FBI NIPC will follow our lead.For example, when I gave bad advice to our readers during the initial sulfnbk.exe virus hysteria, "Vea" stepped in to correct my doozy as best as possible. You posted advisory 01-030.2 with overzealous advice to avoid a security vulnerability. Advisory 01-030.3 modifies your advice — yet you still highlight the overzealous portion on your website. Media stories (especially those found on computer security websites) link to your ".2" advisory. Anyone who reads those breathless stories will only read your overzealous advice if they click on the link. I urge you to modify the ".2" advisory so it at least points to your moderated advice. Even a short notice at the top of the page would help if it pointed to the ".3" advisory. Feel free to use this Vmyths correction notice as a guideline. Mistakes happen. We at Vmyths hold ourselves to a high standard when we blow it — and we hope you'll follow our lead. You owe it to everyone who trusts your advice.