Sony CD protection sparks security concerns

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Soon, TPM will be the ultimate root kit...

Today, someone is able to run diagnostic software to determine if there are any processes on the machine that shouldn't be running or intercepting system calls.

Tomorrow, your very own hardware will be "trusted" to keep RIAA-approved processes secret and hidden from your eyes. Encryption and compartimentalized memory will ensure that you won't be able to (easily) determine what the hidden processes are doing, even if you were to somehow discover them. Malware and spyware will also use these convenient TPM-enabled features to hide their tracks too.

You will have little recourse because of the fundamental problem: You can't trust your own computer anymore. In order for your computer to operate as a guardian for the RIAA's intellectual property, it has to be able to hide stuff from you. You, the owner of the machine, is the primary enemy as far as TPM is concerned. Of course, if TPM can hide the RIAA's DRM, it can also nicely hide keystroke loggers, web trackers, rootkits, viruses, and malware. If you can't even trust your own hardware-- beacuse it has been "trusted" against you-- do you really have any leg to stand on when it comes to your own security?

Effectively, TPM allows the creation of "trusted" rootkits. Sometimes, the rootkit is synonymous with malware, othertimes the rootkit is synonymous with DRM. The program has more privileges than you do, and your own hardware makes detecting and removing such programs much more difficult.

Cheers!

Posted by: Root User   Posted on: 11/01/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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