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General discussion

Symbiot launches DDoS counter-strike tool

Mar 11, 2004 4:17PM PST

Texas security firm Symbiot has developed a product to launch counter-strikes against hackers and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. Symbiot's president, Mike Erwin, and chief scientist, Paco Nathan, have developed "rules of engagement" to help companies determine their response to a cyberthreat, based on military principles of "necessity and proportionality." Mr. Erwin argues that a complete defense must include offensive tactics. Many security professionals are alarmed by Symbiot's plans. A counter-attack may not be regarded as self-defense in some areas, but as an attack, and thus subject to anti-hacking laws. Further, computers are often hijacked for DDoS attacks, meaning a counter-strike would target innocent parties. Such action could also cause collateral damage to systems not involved in the conflict. Jay Heiser of TruSecure warns that no evidence supports the effectiveness of counter-attacks, and that historical precedent argues against it.

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/0,39020330,39148215,00.htm

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