German gov't: Windows 8 contains possible backdoor for NSA, Chinese

[unhappycamper]

http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/gaius-publius/51351/german-govt-windows-8-contains-possible-backdoor-for-nsa-chinese

German gov't: Windows 8 contains possible backdoor for NSA, Chinese
by Gaius Publius | August 30, 2013 - 8:25am

I’ve been wondering about Pentagon backdoors into personal computers for quite some time. Now we know. According to the German government, who had people in the room when the Windows 8 backdoor system was designed, Window 8 machines with the “Trusted Computing” chip are not to be trusted. They contain hardware and software that give anyone — including potentially the NSA and even the Chinese — with the embedded “control key” complete access to your system.

From a translation of the original German article (my emphasis and adjustments to the translation):

Windows 8 is an unacceptable security risk for companies and authorities, experts warn the government. [S]o-called Trusted Computing is (said to be) a back door for the NSA.

(“Windows 8 ist ein inakzeptables Sicherheitsrisiko für Behörden und Firmen, warnen Experten der Regierung. Das sogenannte Trusted Computing sei eine Hintertür für die NSA.”)

Looks straightforward to me. Have you bought your PC from the Pentagon? If you bought Windows 8, and if Microsoft is in bed with the NSA, you have.

[kathysart_decoration]

1. Options?

Just wondering what other options are there for purchasing if you need a new computer? My laptop is a Windows 7 and though I don't need a new one quite yet, very soon I might. Not being very computer literate, I don't see what other choices we all have. Thanks for any suggestions given.

[unhappycamper]

2. About the only way to stay off Windoze 8 is to have a Windows 7

CD in your hot little hands.

To paraphrase dubya, "All your data are belong to us."

[mwooldri]

7. Naaa, need a flavour of Linux.

Microsoft Windows is proprietary software. Microsoft gives you a licence to use their software. You don't own it. It's like buying a car with the bonnet / hood welded shut.

Linux is open source. If the NSA puts in a backdoor, it will be found and pointed out. It's like buying a car with a Haynes manual and an invitation to enroll for classes in car repair.

Microsoft do make some good software, you just can't see into it to see where a backdoor would be. Same for Apple, though they use some open source software in osX. Most flavours of *nix are fully open.

[unhappycamper]

9. Agreed.

Many PC users are not technical; they just want plug 'n play access to the internets.

M$ Windoze or the Apple OS are the perfect NSA data collection points.

[bemildred]

3. Stick with what you have.

To really avoid this sort of thing, you have to build it yourself. For most peope it's not worth the trouble.

Edit: or run Linux, you can find pre-installed Linux now,.

[MannyGoldstein]

4. "Make No Mistake... only by ending your privacy can we

ensure your privacy... "

[bemildred]

5. Such children, they think we are, only Daddy can protect us from the Boogie Man. nt

[Cobalt-60]

6. I'll push XP as far as I can

Then it's Linux or maybe Ubuntu.
I should have jettisoned mu soft when I got Millennium poisoning.

[lupine25]

8. Since Windows 8?

Uhhhh.... last I read NSA has had a backdoor in every version of Windows since Windows 95 OSR2 was released in 1996.

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2013/06/microsoft-programmed-in-nsa-backdoor-in-windows-by-1999.html

[TroglodyteScholar]

10. Linix Mint is super easy

And will do anything an average user needs to

Mint

Open source so no baddies (even the ones wearing white hats) are able to slip in any malicious code.