|
|
 |
|
|
Pages: 1
New Windows lock could be leaky
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: Tweaker
Microsoft's new plan to ensure PC security through extensive changes to its Windows operating system could help make private data and media files safer, but first it has to address privacy concerns, industry watchers said Monday.
This week, the software giant took the wraps off a wide-ranging push to strengthen the security of PCs by adding new features to its Windows operating system and teaming with hardware makers to create a trusted computing platform on which the new components can run.
Done right, the fusion of protected software and hardware could provide a secure store for a person's private data that couldn't easily be broken into. Done wrong, the system could, among other things, empower Hollywood and music companies to keep track of who is playing their media files.
More on this here.
Source: ZDNet News
Posted by: Shalome
Also from the article:
The project would create a special zone within a PC where software could run securely. Such a protected space could prevent unauthorized applications from changing data, making it far more difficult for programs such as viruses and Trojan horses to run. In addition, the inclusion of digital rights management technology, which has been on the wish list of Hollywood media giants, could make it nearly impossible to copy digital media files, analysts said.
"Rights management is something Microsoft has wanted in on for a long time. This becomes a lot more urgent when movie content is more available," said Roger Kay, an analyst with IDC. "There is a need to get beyond simple encryption."
For one thing, the software rights management parts of this technology are very similar to FreeBSD's Jail program.
Palladium (the name of this MS "security" measure) has been a big topic of debate in my office. It would very easily prevent on-Microsoft products from running, and forget about anything Open Source. It would also make it difficult to easily upgrade your system hardware-wise, since even chips will be MS-approved/documented/signed.
This is a very RIAA-friendly measure as well, as it could prevent the simple action of copying a security-stamped file like an MP3 or movie. It could prevent -- from a HARDWARE level -- the playing of a burned CD, or, for that matter, any CD at all. While I don't support piracy, I also don't support restriction on legitimate use.
BUT.. as a coworker pointed out... his 11 year old daughter sat down at her computer and figured out how to get around the shutdown of Napster and similar services. Reminds me of the once-popular saying:
"The internet sees restriction and censorship as damage.. and routes around it accordingly."
|
|
|
|
|
