Jack said it had to be done.
Posted on 12/27/2006 9:54:13 AM PST by Salo
DOD bars use of HTML e-mail, Outlook Web Access
BY Bob Brewin Published on Dec. 22, 2006
Due to an increased network threat condition, the Defense Department is blocking all HTML-based e-mail messages and has banned the use of Outlook Web Access e-mail applications, according to a spokesman for the Joint Task Force for Global Network Operations.
An internal message available on the Internet from the Defense Security Service (DSS) states that JTF-GNO raised the network threat condition from Information Condition 5, which indicates normal operating conditions, to Infocon 4 “in the face of continuing and sophisticated threats” against Defense Department networks.
Infocon 4 usually indicates heightened vigilance in preparation for operations or exercises or increased monitoring of networks due to increased risk of attack.
The JTF-GNO mandated use of plain text e-mail because HTML messages pose a threat to DOD because HTML text can be infected with spyware and, in some cases, executable code that could enable intruders to gain access to DOD networks, the JTF-GNO spokesman said.
In an e-mail to Federal Computer Week, a Navy user said that any HTML messages sent to his account are automatically converted to plain text.
The JTF-GNO spokesman declined to say why the command raised the threat level except to say that Infocon levels are adjusted to reflect worldwide social and political events and activities. He said the current threat level does not bar the use of attachments, including Power Point slides used for briefings.
He also declined to tell FCW what other restrictions on e-mail that JTF-GNO has imposed. But a December 2006 newsletter of the Colorado National Guard said that under Infocon 4, Guard members receiving e-mails from any unknown source, including “mail received from unrecognized Department of Defense accounts,” should be viewed as potentially harmful.
The Colorado Guard newsletter also alerted personnel to be vigilant against e-mail “phishing” attempts to gain personal information.
The ban on use of Outlook Web mail will hit thousands of users at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., according to an internal message available on the Internet. The ban on the use of Outlook Web Access “will significantly impact the way we presently conduct business,” due to the fact that that Web mail is the primary means of e-mail access for 4,500 employees at the base, according to the message.
Robins has developed a work-around for these users to access Outlook directly by logging on to government computers with their common access cards, the internal message said.
JTF-GNO raised the DOD network threat level to Infocon 4 in mid-November after an attack on the networks at the Naval War College (NWC) required NWC to take its systems offline. The JTF-GNO spokesman said at the time that the increase in threat conditions had no relation to the attack against NWC.
More ignorance from you...but what was to be expected?
You're not alone, most of the knowledgeable folks left long ago, the amount of ignorance and disinformation just as we've seen on this thread has become almost overwhelming.
You seem to enjoy it, and you're evidently pretty popular, so have at it!
Hey, I am on the verge of getting this kid to fork over $10K to me and $10K to FR, too bad he has just enough sense not to take me up.
DoD has a highly complex network. Actually, JTF-GNO (Joint Task Force-Global Network Operations) only controls the GIG (Global Information Grid) and any traffic that flows through it. The services COCOMS and agencies all have their own enclaves which they exercise control over.
From my standpoint, IE and Outlook...well, Microsoft, gave the Internet and e-mail a bad reputation. Before I was married, my wife used to complain about viruses on her system all the time. Now that we're married, I switched her over to Firefox for web-based mail, and I use Thunderbird. No viruses, no malware, trojans, etc. anymore. Plus, I switched her to a Linux system and put everything behind a secured router. The beauty is that everything runs fine and I don't need to out and buy virus software, firewall software, and subscriptions to keep everything up to date.
That's fantastic. Same thing for my family - except that we run Windows. Go figure.
Well, there are a number of things you can do with raw text to do this.
{revision}
=italics=
#bold#
http://www.yoururlhere.com/
Folks just have to agree on the conventions, and text works fine for most things. Granted, color is information, and quickly recognised by people, but you can work around not having it. We did it years ago before html was included as a mime-type recognised by email clients.
The biggest problem with raw text IMO, is that many email clients don't properly wrap text.
Jack said it had to be done.
For me at home and at the office, it figures to stay informed and patched when running Windows.
While attending a Conference last month, Infocon and its stages was best described as lowering the water level to see the rocks and then deal with the rocks.
There are so many state-supported hackers out there attacking our networks and national security daily with nefarious intent it is truly mind boggling.
Appreciate your posts.
its std notation, used in *nix and other places going back to IBM 360 JCL.
Yes, I am that old and been in computers for long
You mean the statements that are either patently false, or, if true, servve only to make you look like a bloviating fool who's desperately trying to compensate for a diminuitive stature, or worse, wholly inadequate ¨anatomical features¨?
Are those the statements you're backing up?
So you're too chicken and too broke to take my bet too, and have nothing but your normal name calling to offer. No wonder free foreign software is so critical to your existence LMAO.
¨So you're too chicken and too broke to take my bet too,¨
Ooooh...Internet Tough Guy calls me a ¨chicken¨! Whatever shall I do? I just hope you don't respond with, ¨Liar, liar, pants on fire¨, because then, sir, you will have truly won the argument, once and for all...
And, even if all you say is true, all it proves is that America is the land of opportunity, where anyone, even neurotic, anal retentive xenophobes like yourself, can be successful and free to spout inane babblings and verbal defecations on forums like this one.
God bless America.
Don't try to trick anyone, we already know of your complete commitment to foreign clones of American products, which is why you're here trying to insult me in the first place. I make it clear I like true American products, which upsets you since you prefer foreign rip offs of them, the rest is just you whining about it being pointed out to others.
¨ we already know of your complete commitment to foreign clones of American products, which is why you're here trying to insult me in the first place.¨
No, I'm here to insult you because pompous morons who specialize in obfuscation and character assassination deserve what they get. Plus, your overtly and inappropriately hostile attitude toward people who simply disagree with you over something as simple as software has made you such a juicy target that even the mods don't see fit to protect you anymore.
¨I make it clear I like true American products...¨
Yeah, and I've made it clear that I use what's best for me. Subsidizing American products just because they are American ensures that those companies won't listen to you as a customer. Why should they? They've already got your business.
No, I'll stick with the true vision of capitalism, where consumer choice drives the market, instead of your nationalist ideals which give endless mulligans to companies tthat make products I don't want.
Thanks anyway and play again real soon.
60...
Too late...the betting was already closed! LOL
The betting never actually started, when I suggested a legitimate wager you boys all ran back to your fantasy world and juvenille insults LOL. Thanks for the humor though
Figures. They wouldn't let me play Wednesday's lottery today either.
The difference is, Wednesday's lottery doesn't keep coming back for more abuse from you!
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