Posted on 08/10/2016 11:44:58 AM PDT by Swordmaker
Redmond races to revoke Secure Boot debug policy
Microsoft leaked the golden keys that unlock Windows-powered tablets, phones and other devices sealed by Secure Boot – and is now scrambling to undo the blunder.
These skeleton keys can be used to install non-Redmond operating systems on locked-down computers. In other words, on devices that do not allow you to disable Secure Boot even if you have administrator rights – such as ARM-based Windows RT tablets – it is now possible to sidestep this block and run, say, GNU/Linux or Android.
What's more, it is believed it will be impossible for Microsoft to fully revoke the leaked keys.
And perhaps most importantly: it is a reminder that demands by politicians and crimefighters for special keys, which can be used by investigators to unlock devices in criminal cases, will inevitably jeopardize the security of everyone.
(Excerpt) Read more at theregister.co.uk ...
BTTT!
Hmmmm. I wonder if Microsoft did this just to spite the NSA/FBI? Because now they’ll have to fix a problem that the spooks created.
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Like maybe this was a deliberate act ... a great, big FSCK YOU! ... and not a blunder?
LOL...The mental giants of Redmond strike again
“Because now they’ll have to fix a problem that the spooks created.”
Nah, these are backdoor keys that MS created for their own use, not at the government’s prompting.
Hm, I wonder whether these keys would be used to get into kiosk-version Windows as well?
When a politican speaks of anything save for ordering a burger, he/she is out of their league.
When the idiots dabble in science/tech, there are around 25 quantum levels lower than is needed.
Always, always, ALWAYS remember that politician is 1) too ugly to go into acting, and 2) never has - or will have - a real job.
(Exceptions exist, but are extremely rare. No exceptions whatsoever exist for liberal politicans.)
Interestingly, it's said that the country's hottest women are in the Washington, DC area...
Remember the great TSA leak:
Wired magazine published a photo of the half-dozen physical master keys used for “TSA approved” luggage locks (you had your key, TSA could still open it, no need to leave your luggage unsecured).
Within hours, functioning duplicates were made with 3D printers.
Next day you could buy them on eBay.
That may be an effect of the brimstone…
Microsoft has certainly been friendlier to the Linux world. Hard to believe but perhaps this was on purpose.
They can get the highest prices.
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