German government warns against Windows 8 and NSA

[joG]

Die Zeit this morning published an article (Bundesregierung warnt vor Windows 8) in which it says, that die German government thinks Windows 8 is dangerous ("Aus Dokumenten, die ZEIT ONLINE vorliegen, geht aber hervor, dass die IT-Experten des Bundes Windows 8 für geradezu gefährlich halten.") because Microsoft can control every computer and thus so can the NSA. This stems from the way the chip interacts with "Trusted Computing", which is part of Windows via TPM. The specifications are standardized by TCG whose members are all American companies Die Zeit goes on to point out. The government agency warns against the use of Trusted Computing. The article concludes that the German government may be forced to switch to Linux.

Trusted Computing: Bundesregierung warnt vor Windows 8 | ZEIT ONLINE

 

[PeteEU]

LOL, and where is the warning about Apple and Android? Pathetic..

 

[Canell]

The answer: use free and open source software. eace

 

[joG]

LOL, and where is the warning about Apple and Android? Pathetic..

Yes, there is that and to tell you the truth, it does not make any difference to me, ware software German agencies buy.

On the other hand, the problem is the reference to the US as being dangerous. The atmosphere is pretty anti here right now; the public media have been more careful in the last two or three weeks, but have also made frequent anti American remarks in reports and news in a number of contexts as different as the UK, Egypt or Iraq. This is then followed by private media reports catering to the anti American atmosphere in a vicious circle. Asked, most people will say there is no pregidous. But a representative in the Bundestag told me a while back, that it was a fact, that to get legislation passed it was best to present it with an anti American slant.

 

[Deuce]

"The chip?" Windows 8 isn't hardware.

 

[davidhume]

Makes sense. The whole world is waking up to the fact that the US is spying on everyone.

 

[danarhea]

"The chip?" Windows 8 isn't hardware.

Windows 8 isn't hardware, but the chip in each computer has an identification number hardcoded into it that Windows 8 can definitely take advantage of. Microsoft Word can already do that. So, if you plan to terrorize your city by using Word to write a letter threatening to cut a fart at city hall, you most likely will be busted and force fed Beano.

 

[PeteEU]

Windows 8 isn't hardware, but the chip in each computer has an identification number hardcoded into it that Windows 8 can definitely take advantage of. Microsoft Word can already do that. So, if you plan to terrorize your city by using Word to write a letter threatening to cut a fart at city hall, you most likely will be busted and force fed Beano.

Yea but all OS's even Linux can do that.. it is nothing new and has been around for decades. Plus it is only "named" brands that possibly do this.. your Apple, HP, Dell, Lenovo and so on. Buy a no name and chances are it is not activated.. plus it is easy to de-active if activated...

 

[Deuce]

Windows 8 isn't hardware, but the chip in each computer has an identification number hardcoded into it that Windows 8 can definitely take advantage of. Microsoft Word can already do that. So, if you plan to terrorize your city by using Word to write a letter threatening to cut a fart at city hall, you most likely will be busted and force fed Beano.

I'm not a computer genius so help me out:

Take advantage of how? And which chip?