Microsoft Denies NSA Backdoor in Windows 7
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Richard Schaeffer is the NSA official who said before the Senate’s Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security that the National Security Agency has been working closely with Microsoft to enhance Windows 7′s security guide, igniting fear that the software giant has deliberately coded a backdoor into the newly announced operating system. But given Microsoft’s announcement today, it’s all speculation, as they have “not and will not put ‘backdoors’ into Windows”.
Apparently, the big issue is that the NSA had somethign to do with the creation of Windows, as Marc Rotenberg, the executive director of the Electronics Privacy Information Center (EPIC), has pointed out that the NSA has a dual mission, COMPUSEC, computer security, now called cyber security, and SIGINT, signals intelligence, in other words surveillance.”
More to it, considering that the US government is one of the most important customers for Redmond and given the bad economy, some would be tempted to believe that Microsoft has given in and granted NSA’s wishes. But there’s the other side of the story. Knowing that their software has privacy issues, more and more customers (including businesses) would be tempted to let go — which would lead to a much bigger issues.
So you, our reader, what do you think? Is your privacy ensured with Microsoft?
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1 Comment / Add Your Response?
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The TFTS Team
No, Microsoft didn’t code any backdoor into Windows. Any individual who uses reason will come to the same conclusion. Here’s why I came to this conclusion:
1. Microsoft exports Windows 7 to other countries. If the NSA had them code a backdoor into the operating system, then Microsoft would be guilty of espionage (for allowing an intelligence agency for a Government to have access to files and data on a foreign sovereign government’s computers).
1b. The argument that “Well they only do it on the operating systems and computers sold in the United States” doesn’t hold up either. Can you absolutely guarantee that every computer or copy of Windows 7 that is sold in the US will stay in the US? No. Also, foreign governments may purchase those same copies for their Embassies in the US (See point #1 for why this would become a problem).
2. As you pointed out, if customers start to believe that there are ‘backdoors’ coded into Windows, they will look at alternatives. Hmmm. sounds like some people are trying to create a false scare to drive up their sales….
Have a great day:)
Patrick.