''Trusted computing''

[Santa's little helper]

This was posted in the past but the thread was locked due to double posting
so I thought I'd revive the issue.
If you haven't heard of trusted computing go here.It may seem long
but believe me , you want to read it.

And here's the other thread.I agree completely with the sentiments
expressed there by boba_fett and vergil.If this thing goes
through I consider a 1984 type situation almost guaranteed.
It's not just the various companies which will jump at the opportunity
to control everyone's computer.I'm sure various governments
would be all too happy to do the same in the name of the "war
against terror".Such a technology would make it very easy for
someone's computer to automatically send an email to some
government agency somewhere if the user tries to access "subversive"
forums for example or types into some word processor "dangerous"
words.Scary , scary stuff.

[jeremy1701]

That's when I'll quit using computers for sure.



Jeremy

[Workaphobia]

I see an up side and a down side.

One benefit (perhaps more of an interesting side-effect) is that the computer user would no longer be concerned with physical forms of software and other copyrighted materials. Instead of purchasing an actual music CD, for example, you would purchase a centrally-stored license to play a song, which would be operable on any machine that the license is valid on. Intellectual property would be regulated on a more intellectual level, resulting in the prevention of a number of illegal activities.

However, I firmly believe that the ability to control one's home machine - it's hardware, software, and administrative functions - is one of the most fundamental rights associated with owning a computer. It disgusts me that some day a remote stranger may be technologically and legally able to search my harddrive, limit my internet access, or prevent me from running select applications.

TCPA's inherit incompatibility with non-conforming devices and operating systems would spell doom for independent lower-budget products and Open Source software - or at least their ability to interact with the majority of the computer users out there. I especially detest the prospect of mandating the installation of "Fritz Chips" in computers, which would finalize TCPA's perpetual presence in my life.

[Redman]

Because of the "central-stored/controled" character of TCPA, I strongly oppose it.

Go see the movie "Enemy of the State": not fiction anymore, except for the part where Will Smith is 3d-analysed in the lingery-store

Think about Echelon (not fiction).

Read about TCPA and ask youself... who is being paranoid?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should regard everybody as an "enemy". Don't start encrypting everything 50 times just to make sure. But think about it. Talk about it with others.... What I fear about this whole issue, is IGNORANCE! And with ignorance, comes indifference: "why should I care, I can't oppose it, I just have to accept it".

Talk to others, you'll get a reply like "aha... there's our Linux geek who consideres the whole world his enemy" or "again read some detective with a great conspiracy-theory?"

"When people don't talk about it, they consider it not there, not a reallity"...

[designbydave]

i first read about this a couple years ago when it was being called Palladium. Some serious BS for sure. If this is the direction MS is going, than there is no way i will follow. I will switch all my computing to linux/opensource, I'm glad I started learning now!

[retired1af]

Hmmmmm. I do take exception to the term Trusted Computing as applied in the FAQ. The military has been trying for this standard for at least 20 years.

Originally, Trusted Computing was just that. The ability to use your PC or computer system in a secure environment without the possibility of sensitive or classified information being passed to an unsecure network. A lot of research and time went in to the developement of communications systems that showed promise, but it was discovered that regardless of how secure you made the equipment, some flaw always popped up. As far as I know, the project has been dropped.

Seems now some outside agencies are picking up the ball and trying to run with it. And not in the manner the original project was designed to be run.

[Workaphobia]

If this is the direction MS is going, than there is no way i will follow. I will switch all my computing to linux/opensource, I'm glad I started learning now!

MS has been pursuing this for quite some time. Windows Media Player comes to mind, of course, with all its license-based restricted-copying systems. And let's not forget office's/window's narcissistic policy of only playing nicely with other MS software. Did they ever implement that upgrade to Outlook that would allow it to generate encrypted emails readable only by another version of Outlook?

[genesus]

I dont know why you guys think that this is such a big deal, it makes me feel more secure to know that major corporations will be protecting me and making the world safe for capitalism.

[genesus]

Man it is kind of *****y article towards linux, did you notice...

There is one small problem, though. If you turn TC off, Fritz won't hand out the keys you need to decrypt your files and run your bank account. Your TC-enabled apps won't work as well, or maybe at all. It will be like switching from Windows to Linux nowadays; you may have more freedom, but end up having less choice. If the TC apps are more attractive to most people, or are more profitable to the app vendors, you may end up simply having to use them - just as many people have to use Microsoft Word because all their friends and colleagues send them documents in Microsoft Word. By 2008, you may find that the costs of turning TC off are simply intolerable.

[Vergil83]

I dont know why you guys think that this is such a big deal, it makes me feel more secure to know that major corporations will be protecting me and making the world safe for capitalism.

hmmm....