NSA provided security help for Windows, Mac OS X

[Nomad559]

http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2007/01/09/nsa-provided-security-help-for-windows-mac-os-x/

The National Security Agency has provided assistance to Microsoft and Apple in securing their Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, according to a report published Tuesday.

While Microsoft has sought NSA’s assistance for several years in the development of security for its Windows Vista operating system, due to be released to consumers January 30, as well as its Windows XP operating system, it has only recently acknowledged the intelligence agency’s role in securing the operating systems.
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Microsoft also has sought the security expertise of other U.S. government and international entities, including NATO. "I cannot mention any of the other international agencies," said Donald R. Armstrong, senior program manager of Microsoft's government security program, citing the wishes of those agencies to remain anonymous.

Microsoft's concerns extend beyond the welfare of its software when it seeks the security expertise of government agencies. "When you get into an environment where a Microsoft product is used in a battlefield situation or a government situation where if a system is compromised, identities could be found out," and it could be a matter of life and death, Armstrong said.

Other software makers have turned to government agencies for security advice, including Apple, which makes the Mac OS X operating system. "We work with a number of U.S. government agencies on Mac OS X security and collaborated with the NSA on the Mac OS X security configuration guide," said Apple spokesman Anuj Nayar in an e-mail.


For Windows Vista Security, Microsoft Called in Pros
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/08/AR2007010801352.html

[Beelzebud]

1. Sorry but it makes me nervous. Does the NSA get a backdoor in OSX and Vista for this?

[woodsprite]

2. I've thought this from the start, way before the article came out. n/t

[Atman]

3. I can't imagine they wouldn't have taken the opportunity

They would have been crazy NOT to.

.

[williesgirl]

4. Since when is it legal or have we agreed to pay our nat'l security agencies to help private business

This has to be illegal. Someone has to stop this since you are all correct, there's only one reason NSA would do this and that's more illegal spying on Americans. recommended

[Solo_in_MD]

7. Its not illegal for the US Gov to discuss issues of concern with industry

There is a US Gov Standard for security for automated data process equipment. Discussing it, acceptable implementations, etc is well withing the purview of the NSA and other security organizations. It is far from illegal.

The existence of a backdoor is another matter entirely, and you are free to speculate.

[jakem]

5. how can the NSA...

possibly assist Microsoft and Mac anyway? I would have expected the other way around...

[ClintonTyree]

6. Great....

so probably 95% of our computers are subject to oversight by the NSA. They don't even need the 'carnivore' program anymore.

Well, I just want to give a shout out to all of the geeks monitoring everything I type at the NSA. :hi: Blow me! :grr:

[teryang]

8. This must be why the security is so great!

Thank god, the government is out there protecting our security in our homes.

:-)