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130

Fix/Remove the new backdoor(s) from Vista SP1 before shipping it.

130 points posted to Operating Systems by jmxz 12/17/07

Vista SP1 apparently has yet another new NSA backdoor; in addition to speculation of similar in XP and various other spyware features built in to Vista.

It seems that when Microsoft speaks of Vista "Security" - they're really talking about the RIAA / MPAA / Copyright laywers, and governments being secure from computer users (by giving both technical hooks as well as legalese in the EULA to let such groups go after users) rather than protecting the computer users themselves.

I imagine Dell would lose international sales if they were suspected of shipping software with government sponsored back doors; and US corporate spyware - so at least for your international sales, my Idea is that Dell should fix and/or remove these suspected backdoors before shipping.

winoffice
12/17/07		 That would mean violating the license agreement on reverse engineering/decompiling/disassembly, and Microsoft might hold Dell, me or both responsible so NO.

If you are dissatisfied with whatever Vista has, then complain to Microsoft at their product suggestions e-mail address but do not ask Dell to take the role of Microsoft for themselves by modifying the software.
jervis961
12/17/07		 Sorry jmxz Dell can't fix it.
winoffice
12/17/07		 Exactly jervis961, that is what I am saying. Modifying the software means violating the EULA. So Dell can never do as jmxz asks here and expect to be able to legally sell it. If someone is dissatisfied with Vista, then they should complain to Microsoft and not Dell.
jdelidc
12/17/07		 dell can't fix it. but it seems microsoft listens to us on this website & cnet far better than their hate mail. i serioulsy think they just deleted all my hate mail
jmxz
12/18/07		 @winoffice: "That would mean violating the license agreement on reverse engineering/decompiling/disassembly, and Microsoft might hold Dell, me or both responsible so NO."

OMG!
You're saying that patching backdoors means that both the OEM and the end user are violating the license agreement!?!
Please please please show me the clause in thier license agreement that makes this the case.
petzymathuram
12/18/07		 jdelidc, Microsoft listens to us in this site?...but who is it?
Linux listens to us on this site...Paul listens for Linux
Is Ubuntu here as well?......;)
Oh My God
winoffice
12/18/07		 @jmxz: I said "either the OEM or the end user or both". The OEM is responsible by removing or fixing these backdoors (Vista is not open source, so modifying the software is prohibited to everyone other than the OS manufacturer), and I heard that the end user might also be responsible for knowingly obtaining illegal/nongenuine copies of the software.
jmxz
12/18/07		 @winoffice:
Then how does the OEM get away with installing McAfee - which closes/fixes other backdoors?
jervis961
12/18/07		 McAfee has agreements with MS. That was a cheesy attempt, can't you too agree to disagree or something?
jmxz
12/18/07		 I could - but so many people say "but Dell can't do that" when they forget that Dell actually has negotiators and can negotiate with their partners.

I think an earlier case was "Intel won't let Dell can't remove Intel Inside stickers if they use Intel chips" - but Apple proves otherwise.
People used to say Dell can't sell No OS; but HP proves otherwise.
People say Dell can't sell XP anymore; but Dell proved otherwise.
People say Dell can't install security improvements on Vista - but McAfee proves otherwise.

Dell can (if they want to) do a lot more than people here realize - and probably more than Dell itself realizes.
jdelidc
12/18/07		 wow. very good point. wish i could change my vote. standing ovation (how the heck is that spelt?)
wleara
12/21/07		 Did you actually read the articles you used as the basis for this post? You conclude that Vista has an NSA back-door by bundling together rumor, speculation and half-truths.
jmxz
12/21/07		 I don't think it's just irrational fears. I'd speculate that *every* country's intelligence forces has people working to trying to get jobs at every single software vendor and insert their back doors. Thanks to globalization it's probably pretty easy to do this. I wonder how many of the "bugs" are actually planted on purpose by employees working for their countries.
petzymathuram
12/22/07		 good point jmxz
sugarbear
12/22/07		 More than you know.
petzymathuram
12/22/07		 Oh dear ....sugary beary
jorge
Jan 30		 I say leave it in, that way we have a way of putting a Vista system on life support so we can fix it. If you lock it down completely its re-install city.
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