Kym
12-01-2014, 6:50pm
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/09/wolf-richter-why-ibm-throws-another-billion-at-linux-with-nsa-designed-backdoor.html
IBM tend to throw money at things for a reason - let the conspiracy theories abound
FYI AP's server is Linux.
IBM may be trying to make hay of the ongoing revelations that have shown that the NSA and other intelligence organizations in the US and elsewhere have roped in American tech companies of all stripes with huge contracts to perfect a seamless spy network. They even include physical aspects of surveillance, such as license plate scanners and cameras, which are everywhere [read.... Surveillance Society: If You Drive, You Get Tracked (http://www.testosteronepit.com/home/2013/6/29/surveillance-society-if-you-drive-you-get-tracked.html)].
Then another boon for IBM. Experts at the German Federal Office for Security in Information Technology (BIS) determined that Windows 8 is dangerous for data security. It allows Microsoft to control the computer remotely through a “special surveillance chip,” the wonderfully named Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and a backdoor in the software – with keys likely accessible to the NSA and possibly other third parties, such as the Chinese. Risks: “Loss of control over the operating system and the hardware” [read…. LEAKED: German Government Warns Key Entities Not To Use Windows 8 – Links The NSA (http://www.testosteronepit.com/home/2013/8/21/leaked-german-government-warns-key-entities-not-to-use-windo.html).
Governments and companies overseas paid rapt attention. They’re big customers of our American tech heroes – and they’re having second thoughts, and some are cancelling orders. Tech companies are feeling the heat. A debacle IBM apparently decided not to let go to waste.
IBM, which has long known about the purposeful security issues of Windows 8 machines, has banished them from desks where certain sensitive work is done. These employees, classed as “Privileged,” are required to run Red Hat Linux as operating system on their laptops or desktops. And if they must use applications that run only on Windows, they have to get special permission. Then they have to run Windows 7 – not Windows 8 – as a virtual guest on top of the Linux operating system. IBM’s stated reasons: stability, security, protection from viruses, and reduced risk of remote takeover of the computer.
IBM tend to throw money at things for a reason - let the conspiracy theories abound
FYI AP's server is Linux.
IBM may be trying to make hay of the ongoing revelations that have shown that the NSA and other intelligence organizations in the US and elsewhere have roped in American tech companies of all stripes with huge contracts to perfect a seamless spy network. They even include physical aspects of surveillance, such as license plate scanners and cameras, which are everywhere [read.... Surveillance Society: If You Drive, You Get Tracked (http://www.testosteronepit.com/home/2013/6/29/surveillance-society-if-you-drive-you-get-tracked.html)].
Then another boon for IBM. Experts at the German Federal Office for Security in Information Technology (BIS) determined that Windows 8 is dangerous for data security. It allows Microsoft to control the computer remotely through a “special surveillance chip,” the wonderfully named Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and a backdoor in the software – with keys likely accessible to the NSA and possibly other third parties, such as the Chinese. Risks: “Loss of control over the operating system and the hardware” [read…. LEAKED: German Government Warns Key Entities Not To Use Windows 8 – Links The NSA (http://www.testosteronepit.com/home/2013/8/21/leaked-german-government-warns-key-entities-not-to-use-windo.html).
Governments and companies overseas paid rapt attention. They’re big customers of our American tech heroes – and they’re having second thoughts, and some are cancelling orders. Tech companies are feeling the heat. A debacle IBM apparently decided not to let go to waste.
IBM, which has long known about the purposeful security issues of Windows 8 machines, has banished them from desks where certain sensitive work is done. These employees, classed as “Privileged,” are required to run Red Hat Linux as operating system on their laptops or desktops. And if they must use applications that run only on Windows, they have to get special permission. Then they have to run Windows 7 – not Windows 8 – as a virtual guest on top of the Linux operating system. IBM’s stated reasons: stability, security, protection from viruses, and reduced risk of remote takeover of the computer.