Network News

If you are using an IRC-II based client, then you should be aware of the latest reported security threat. A post on Security focus has listed few vulnerabilities, which could be exploited if a user connects to a malicious server. However, only users with the correct authority, such as server administrators can only make use of these bugs. Regular users are unable to exploit these bugs.
In order to avoid being compromised users should avoid connecting to un-trusted servers and not IRC over insecure network links. Author of the post, Timo Sirainen said:
"After seeing the BitchX "DoS" problem mentioned the n'th time already, I decided to finally audit ircII based clients to show some worse problems they have. I had been pretty sure for years that malicious servers can exploit them in multiple ways, and I think many others have known it as well. EPIC and ircII authors have been working to fix these, but looks like their job isn't yet finished." Timo Sirainen's entire article can be seen HERE.

Austnet's project-orca.net team is now ranked 60th with more than 9 millions keys and only 14 members. This is an increase of 10 places in just one week. If you would like to become part of this effort, join the team today!

A new security alert highlights a critical security bug in all Windows® products. This exploit could be used to run malicious scripts. Affected products are Windows 98, 98SE, ME, NT 4, NT 4 Server edition, 2000 and XP. All users are urged to download the latest security updates available HERE.
Read the alert HERE.
The attacker would first have to send you an e-mail message or entice you into visiting a malicious Web site. AustNet would like to take this opportunity to remind all users to not go to any links which are sent to you on entry or parting of channels, or in conversations with strangers. Prevention can often be better than the cure.

AustNet today launched a new mailing list for discussion related to Public Relations. Anyone with ideas on raising the profile of AustNet in a positive way, or who would like to give input, can join the list by sending email to [email protected].

Some time in the past few days AustNet achieved a rank of 70 with 7,394,860 keys on project-orca. For those of you that aren't aware, Project Orca is the followup to Project Dolphin, a project whose sole purpose is to count keystrokes of its participants. More...
15th March, 2003

LoveOP today welcomes a new netpriest - Saturn - who has been helping in the channel for some time. Saturn can now perform netmarriages in #chapel using LoveOP, AustNet's own Love Service.

AustNet continues to expand its network with another server - deathstar.or.us.austnet.org. This server is located in Portland, Oregon, USA. We welcome and wish goodluck to the administrator, chatbox. Through the testlink period, you may connect to this server via chat.anekabaru.com.

Netsplit.de ranks IRC Networks based on a combination of factors including average number of channels, average number of users and average number of servers. Austnet last night reached number 10 on the listing! Congratulations to AustNet on this achievement!

A big welcome to Chatnet refugees, yet another network which has fallen victim to DDos attacks during mid February 2003. Austnet welcomes you all, and if you need to familiarise yourselves with our services, please check the ex-Dalnet-user FAQs and our support section. For further help, feel free to visit #ASD and #Help.

The organisers would like to thank all the participants of the #sydney supercruise. Lots of fun was had and we all look forward to the next channel event! The previous meet in Centenial Park saw 60 people attend. Keep an eye out in the #sydney forums for upcoming events.