[comp.protocols.tcp-ip] BITNET clarifications...

fasteddy@sdcdcl.span.nasa.gov (John McMahon - NASA GSFC ADFTO - 301-286-2045) (10/26/89)

***> In article <8910251138.AA11562@alw.nih.gov> RAF@CU.NIH.GOV ("Roger
***> Fajman") writes:
***>  
***> >I wish the Internet had BITNET-style sender-initiated file transfer
***> >that did not require the sender to know the receiver's password.  It's
***> >very convenient.  Sending files as email is not very user friendly.
***>  
***> From:         Randall Atkinson <haven!uvaarpa!randall@AMES.ARC.NASA.GOV>
***> 
***> The ability of some arbitrary user elsewhere on a network I'm connected
***> to to put files in my account without (at least) password protection is
***> a security hole.  I'm glad my systems aren't directly connected to
***> BITNET.

Hmm...  my systems are directly connected to BITNET, and I am pretty
happy...

But seriously, to clarify about BITNET file transfer...

Files sent to a user on BITNET are stored in a "Receive/Spool" area,
they are not deposited into a users directory.  While in the "Receive/Spool" 
area, the user has an opportunity to see where the file comes from and
examine it before it gets into the users directory.  It's a fairly safe
system as long as you are careful about what you receive to disk.

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