Techrights Advises UEFI Forum to Withdraw ‘Secure’ Boot Support

TechRights ^ | 26 May 2013 | Dr. Roy Schestowitz

[onyx]

Thanks so much, but I don’t understand any of it.
I like to read all the techie stuff, however.

[ShadowAce]

That’s great—No better way to learn than to read about subjects you don’t understand :)

[hoosierham]

What I get is that Microsoft wants to lock every computer into running the “current” version of Microsoft operating system.

No doubt they dream of everyone being required to pay annual or per-use fees for every computer.

[for-q-clinton]

So is it more secure or not? If it is I’m fine with it. If it doesn’t make it more secure then it is a waste and sense of false security limiting our options.

[ShadowAce]

I’m having a hard time seeing how it can be more secure.

[Buckeye McFrog]

The guys who fixed this for me were as stumped as you were.

[ShadowAce]

LOL!

[for-q-clinton]

Doesn’t this prevent rootkits and the like?

[ShadowAce]

I am by no means an expert on malware--or firmware.

But I would think that rootkits write to the disk. <shrug>

[ShadowAce]

Here's further information about UEFI.

Supposedly, there is some malware that can operate before the OS loads. I'm guessing that means the BIOS has been infected.

[ShadowAce]

I'm guessing that means the BIOS has been infected.

OK--I'm wrong in that. The MBR could also be infected.

[for-q-clinton]

So it would help prevent those types of root kits. Which are probably the worst ones to fix as you pretty much have to start over and even then you may end up with the malware. If UEFI fixes this then I’m happy to use it.

[ShadowAce]

If UEFI fixes this then I’m happy to use it.

That's fine. I have no issue with that. But make it optional. And don't let software companies dictate to hardware companies whether or nor to allow disabling of the feature.

[for-q-clinton]

That is usually the issue with security. If you allow it to be disabled you also allow the malware guys to disable it as well.

But possibly a jumper setting would do it. But then if you allow a physical jumper I guarantee you someone would make a soft jumper and then the roots are back in.

If the market is sound then I’m sure venders will make Motherboards without it. If they don’t then someone else will. If no one does then the market really isn’t viable and you’re one of the few that want it.