Passwords, security

[fostel at ncsu.UUCP]

    1. I teach at a University and I am regularly amazed by the people who
       keep exams, quizes and even the sole copy of GRADES on computers. They
       seem to have faith in something.  I fear the Lions will get them.

    2. I used to help run some UNIX's and we used a trick to leave an account
       on the system when someone quit, yet insure no one could log on. This
       in case they had important files.  We set their password to a real live
       readable work "__ZOMBIE__" as I recall it.  Does anyone know a way to
       ivert such a clear text style cryptation?  We had faith then too.

       (Forgive the jillions of typos, the zombie word was types via editor
       into the crypted slot in /etc/passwd. )

    3. Why not start a net.security?  The security of net.security would
       make an interesting exercise.  Perhaps all crypted text?  Key dist.
       might be via (GASP!) U.S mail to get it started ....
       (Besides, then we could cut down the volume of net.u-wiz by 50% )
       ----GaryFostel----