NSA Helped Microsoft Set Security for Vista

[sabra]

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=it_in_government&articleId=279002&taxonomyId=69&intsrc=kc_top

NSA Helped Microsoft Set Security for Vista
Spy agency, vendor teamed to sync OS with standards

January 15, 2007 (Computerworld) --

Microsoft Corp. and the National Security Agency confirmed last week that the intelligence agency helped the company configure Windows Vista so it meets the Pentagon’s security requirements.

NSA spokesman Ken White said the agency has provided guidance on securing Windows XP and Windows 2000 in the past. But this is the first time the NSA has worked with Microsoft or any vendor prior to an operating system’s release, White added.

...

Alarm Raised

Still, the NSA’s involvement raised red flags for some privacy advocates. “Some bells are going to go off when the government’s spy agency is working with the private sector’s top developer of operating systems,” said Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center in Washington.

Rotenberg and other privacy advocates said it would be tempting for the NSA to push for a way to gain access to data stored on Vista-based systems.

But White said the NSA didn’t open any back doors into the new operating system. “This is not the development of code here,” he said. “This is assisting in the development of a security configuration.”

[originalpckelly]

1. Oh, now this is re-assuring.

:eyes:

I'm going to run out and buy Vista, so the NSA can spy on my computer!

Those "security" features will be the death of Vista for any anti-spying person.

[MyNameGoesHere]

6. You should buy a mac

oh wait. same thing they collaborated too. Then Linux yeah that's it. Oh wait they passed NSA certification too. You should just destroy your PC and live in a underground cave and write manifestos.

[Nomad559]

8. I'm going to run out

and buy a Mac, so the NSA can spy on my computer!

:evilgrin:

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. Translation:

Security to a certain point. A playground after that.

Wait until the Bulgarian and Chinese h4><0rZ sink their teeth into that. Oh, lawdy.

[mondo obscurius]

3. Wish I could believe a word of this

Can't find one though. Unless The NSA has open purchase contracts with Microsoft and are just as fed up with the crap they sell as everyone else is...

[newyawker99]

14. Hi mondo obscurius!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Nomad559]

4. NSA provided security help for Windows, Mac OS X

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=242x11566

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.
-----------------------------------------------------
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.


:)

[Poll_Blind]

5. See also "Lantern, Magic" for TCP/IP stack-level keylogger by NSA.

This site talks about it but I just pulled it up on a Google search and interested parties should do further research.

See also "NSA" (cryptographic not registry) key in Microsoft operating systems.

If you don't want the government to have access to your machine, you may be able to frustrate them by using *nix-based open-source (free) operating systems.

There is more, but those are two starter topics for interested parties.

PB

[TechBear_Seattle]

7. the NSA didn’t open any back doors into the new operating system

The NSA didn't have to: Microsoft opened those doors for them.

[madrchsod]

9. vista-bill gates wants your money along with the malware folks

http://www.twit.tv/sn74


http://www.boingboing.net/2006/12/24/windows_vista_suicid.html


http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.txt this is long but frightening



from http://www.boingboing.net

[Nomad559]

13. This Is Frightening

OS X - Found: :wow: 10004 :wow: Secunia Security Advisories
http://secunia.com/search/?search=OS+X

Linux - Found: 5752 Secunia Security Advisories
http://secunia.com/search/?search=Linux

Windows - Found: 860 Secunia Security Advisories
http://secunia.com/search/?search=Windows+

:evilgrin:

[Little Wing]

10. Microsoft, making your citizenship the most rewarding experience possible!

Who would you like to rat out today?

[Skidmore]

11. VISTA is one Microsoft product I will not be buying.

[Rainscents]

12. Me too!

MS can go to hell!!!

[peacetalksforall]

15. BS - File that name - NSA Ken White. BS. They are crapping on us.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

16. Based on most posts, Microsoft is damned if they do and damned if they don't

If they work hard to make their product more secure, they're somehow collaberating with the Bush Admin. If they don't, then they have a crappy insecure product and everyone should go out and buy the new MacIntel.

You can't have it both ways people.

[Nomad559]

17. You can't have it both ways people

Don't bother trying to reason with them, you can not talk any sense Into some people here at DU.

"Never Underestimate The Power Of Denial"

:)

[magellan]

18. I don't mind them making their product more secure

But why do they have to do it with the government's help?

[EvolveOrConvolve]

19. I don't know exactly why

but the most security conscious group in the world is the NSA, so they aren't a bad choice to go to for security consulting.