NSA Likely Reading Windows Software In Your Computer

[razors edge]

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/10508

Sooner or later, a country that spies on its neighbors will turn on its own people, violating their privacy, stealing their liberties.

President Bush's grab for unchecked eavesdropping powers is the culmination of what the National Security Agency(NSA) has spent forty years doing unto others.

And if you're upset by the idea of NSA tapping your phone, be advised NSA likely can also read your Windows software to access your computer.

European investigative reporter Duncan Campbell claimed NSA had arranged with Microsoft to insert special "keys" in Windows software starting with versions from 95-OSR2 onwards.


They are not afraid of terrorists, they are afraid of us.

[Selatius]

1. It's SOP for people who lean authoritarian as far as social views go.

They tend to view society as a thing to be feared, thus to be controlled and monitored. Partly this is due to a sincere belief in that, partly because the person in question simply selfishly wants to hold onto power against the rest of society.

Consequently, they like to make decisions for others rather than let them do it themselves. We only have to examine the movement to pass discriminatory laws against homosexuals or groups that wish to dictate to women what they can or can't do with their bodies to get an example of the former, while we can examine people like Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, both of whom probably don't really care about social issues, to get an example of the latter.

[razors edge]

2. Yep.

Those who know whats best for us must rise and save us from ourselves.

[JMDEM]

3. This scared me so bad that...

I opened my computer up and looked around inside. Fortunately I didn't find any keys. I found a bunch of weird looking electronic things, and a little fan, but no keys.

They wouldn't be in the monitor, would they? I don't want to have to open that thing up too.

[Nomad559]

4. NSA provided security help for Windows, Mac OS X

http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2007/01/09/nsa-provided-security-help-for-windows-mac-os-x/

The National Security Agency has provided assistance to Microsoft and Apple in securing their Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, according to a report published Tuesday.

While Microsoft has sought NSA’s assistance for several years in the development of security for its Windows Vista operating system, due to be released to consumers January 30, as well as its Windows XP operating system, it has only recently acknowledged the intelligence agency’s role in securing the operating systems.
==================================================================
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=242x11566

[razors edge]

5. Ahh yes,

That little known article in the constitution that refers to the government's responsibility to insure that the private corporations are secure at the expense of the tax payer. I forgot about that one.

:sarcasm:

[Rhythm and Blue]

10. That makes quite a good deal of sense.

Many government agencies (including the NSA) and defense contractors run Windows software. The NSA is the largest employer of mathematicians and cryptographers in the nation. The government wants to ensure that its secured servers remain secure. Problem?

[razors edge]

11. Major problem.

Shouldn't our government be utilizing better software than I have to ensure the security you speak of? (even though that security didn't stop 9-11)

I have a problem with our DOD being as insecure as my laptop.

[L. Coyote]

18. I use Windows and it is secure as can be. Security is a matter of knowledge.

If you understand security, you can have a secure device running Windows, excepting secret back doors of course. Even then, you control access to your device, physically and wi-fi.

If you understand encryption, you can communicate without any worry of anyone anywhere ever breaking your code and reading your communications. If you understand covert communications and encryption, your communications are not even apparent.

[dkofos]

15. Then why did they choose windoz??

[rodeodance]

6. we know so so little of what truely is going on.

[rodeodance]

7. REC

[MyNameGoesHere]

8. holy freaking crapola.

Another person spreading urban myths and legends around. MS is used by government agencies. Those "keys" are not what you think they are and the NSA worked with other OS vendors towards the same goals.

[Nomad559]

9. Some Myths Never Die

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSAKEY

:)

[razors edge]

12. Under who's authority?

Did the congress and senate pass a law signed by the oppressordent to spend our tax dollars to secure Joe six pack's computer from foreign infiltration?

Chances are they did, but the details are probably secret, like everything else about violating your rights.

You seam to have a problem with news that is not carried by the M$M, sorry I penetrated the walls you have built, but I bet you are already over it now aren't you?

[MyNameGoesHere]

17. No i am not over

it when people boldly spread myths as truth. And for your information assuming which vehicle i garner my news from just makes you the beginning of the word assume. You do now that old saying right? Now are you over it?

And for someone to assume that the NSA would establish a back door and then label it NSA key for everyone to see. Well that is just unreal. besides they can compromise you computer without it. As can many people i am sure.

[mmonk]

13. In authoritarian societies, the spying is done on a few

to control the many. People begin to watch what they say. The job is thus successful.

[tbyg52]

14. On the same general topic

Has anyone else had their firewall inform them that explorer.exe (Windows Explorer, not Internet Explorer) has been replaced by another program with the same name? It happened just as I started a search for a file. I *was* on the internet at the time. How paranoid should I be?

[Quantess]

16. An excellent way to spend our tax money!

Thanks, money wasting GOP! Waste some more of our tax dollars while you're at it! Go on, big spenders. Spy on boring, law abiding Americans ON MY DIME!