After catching up on some of the security news that's been happening, I've found a few stories that I thought were interesting or note worthy.

Security Focus ran a story about a University professor that required students to security scan (perform attack reconnaissance) an on internet connected server.  Getting permissions was not part of the assignment.  You'd think the University would be upset at this, but their only response was, 'as long as the students don't scan our computers, it is ok'.  Right, they can scan YOUR computers, the FBI's computers, other student's personal computers, but not ones at the University. Well done!  I don't suppose these students are required to take an Ethics class either are they?

Security Focus also did an Interview with Kevin Finisterre, who wrote the InqTana worm that attacks OS X. It's a pretty interesting read considering he has no fear of prosecution because it was in the interest of full disclosure...

The Rash of Apple OS X vulnerabilities are still at the top of the iDefense list 

ZDNet released a story about Microsoft Refusing to install back-door code that would have been to allow police forces to gain access to encrypted files on the machine's hard drive. In the article a Microsoft spokesperson was quoted as saying "Microsoft has not, and will not put 'backdoors' into Windows" That's good news right?  This is essentially talking about was for law enforcement to circumvent BitLocker Drive Encryption.  Stick to your guns guys, people should be left some modicum of privacy.

ZDNet also ran a story about the push behind the opern-souce ID program being driven by IBM and Novell. They have named their push the Higgns Project.  We'll see how well we all play together.

I'll post about other interesting stories as I come across them.