Software moles in your systems Old programs, utilities, and
plug-ins languishing on your computer or control systems could
threaten your security. In the world of espionage, a mole is an
agent or spy that infiltrates an enemy environment and
establishes him- or herself as a normal citizen. The agent
burrows in and simply carries on a quiet life in an effort to
blend in, not appear suspicious, and develop relationships.
Eventually, the mole will receive orders to carry out the spying
functions originally planned, taking advantage of trust built up
over the years. Moles may be living in your computer and control
systems. They weren’t placed there deliberately, and they may
not even realize that they’re moles, but they can be just as
dangerous. In this context, we’re talking about software that
has security vulnerabilities. One situation that has brought
this to mind recently is Java, with reports that hackers have
been able to exploit vulnerabilities in conjunction with
dangerous websites. Many computers still