If you dial in for your Internet connection, your Internet address is "dynamic": you get a different one every time. However, if you have a "broadband" connection, typically either DSL or cable, your Internet address is "static": it stays the same all the time.

Theoretically, dynamic Internet addresses can be hacked, but practically speaking, it's not much of a risk. Static addresses, however, are highly vulnerable to attack. We will discuss the risks inherent in having a static Internet address, and ways in which you can reduce that risk by protecting your computer from nefarious attacks. These protections can consist of hardware, software, or a combination of both.

Stephen F. Heffner is founder and President of Pennington Systems Incorporated, a software development company, and is the creator of Pennington's XTRAN expert system for symbolic manipulation of computer languages. He was also an adjunct Professor of Decision Sciences for 13 years at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business.

A pre-meeting dinner with the speaker is held at 6 p.m. at the Rusty Scupper on Alexander Road in Princeton. If you would like to attend, please RSVP with an e-mail to princetonacm@acm.org or call the information number to record your reservation on the answering machine.

Princeton ACM / IEEE Computer Society meeting are open to the public. Students and their parents are welcome. There is no admission charge, and refreshments are served.