Trusted Computing Encryption Chip Updated

Microsoft Corp.'s trusted computing vision inched closer to reality on Wednesday, as an industry group released an updated specification for storing encrypted information.

Version 1.2 of the Trusted Computing Group's hardware specification was released at the RSA Conference 2003 Europe in Amsterdam. The group is responsible for overseeing the development of Trusted Platform Modules, small microcontrollers that reside on a PC's hard drive and encrypt data, thus protecting it.

The Next-Generation Secure Computing Base will be used to "lock down" user data through the use a "nexus," a software module that will interact with the module chip and the secure operating system.

So all we need to do is intercept the output of the software module and substitute our own to get by anything? I expect to be able to download a solution to this by next week.

Computer security is an oxymoron.

One thing to keep in mind whenever you see articles about this "trusted computing" scheme is that the "untrusted" party is you the user. RIAA, MPAA, and various other evil acronym-based organizations like, CBS/NBC/ABC as well as microsoft, want to turn your PC into nothing more than a 'content delivery vehicle', much like your TV. The difference between your TV and PC being that they want much more control on what goes on your PC.

Also, I noticed this: "The 1.2 spec also adds locality, or the means for the user to manually assign permissions to external software processes." Would anyone out there want to make even a small wager that your PC will be almost completely unusable without granting this access control to microsoft itself? I would also not be suprised to see many programs that you install request such permissions as well (thereby giving various vendors access to your PC). Idiot users will see those little dialogue boxes pop up and just click "ok" because they just don't know any better. (this is easily demonstrated by the massive numbers of people who have been whacked by the various microsoft viruses this year alone.)

Just say NO to 'palladium' folks. No good will come of it for the common man.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.