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I know that I have frequent occasion to use the hosts and network information available from computer lab's networking info server, and would sorely miss this information if it wasn't available. As others have pointed out, dedicated hackers have many, many ways to retrieve real time and accurate information directly from the network - blocking this info really won't do much to stop hack attacks. That said, I have no issue with authenticating with my MSUNet id if that's considered preferable to leaving the information widely and publicly visible. Regards, John Fishbeck MSU Physical Plant Computer Systems >>> Doug Nelson <[log in to unmask]> 03/30/04 08:43AM >>> Is it really a good idea to list all of the IP address, host files, and the > entire MSU network layout on a public website (http://network.msu.edu/)? > With the virus going around, anyone could program a virus to attack a > certain computer. Even an outside hacker could just focus his attack to a > specific machine. I can see no logical reason for this information to be > available to the public. > Actually, I have considered restricting this information, although probably > allowing access for any valid MSU NetID. I haven't restricted it so far, > partly because I do not have the necessary authentication mechanisms in > place on that web server, and also because I have not seen evidence that > the information is being abused by hackers. I suppose there's no way to > know that for sure, but as others have pointed out, hackers have other > ways to find information about MSU computer systems, and many are more > accurate and ubiquitous than perusing the hosts files on the web. > > Doug