Sun plans Java ID cards for PCs

TalkBack 1 of 25:

Next »

• Thread View
• Flat View

Shades of Intel

Wasn't there a major public discussion when Intel wanted to add the ability to allow identification of computers based on a number in the processor? How is this different?

The current system allows for some tracking of computers through IP Addresses and Cookies.

IP Addresses determine which account with an ISP made a request. They can be tricked by using a proxy web server that accepts the request from the client and makes the actual request from its own IP Address. A true "Anonymizing" server keeps no records, so any tracking leads to that server and no further.

Cookies are handled by the client, and remember when that client made previous requests. They are easily blocked or deleted. They cannot know which computer made a request, just that the request came from the same computer that made other requests.

Intel wanted to put a number in every processor so that the actual computer could be tracked. They were stopped over privacy concerns, because there would be no mehtod to be truly anonymous.

The proposal in the article sounds very much like the Intel idea. The ID would just be an add-on chip rather than built into the core. Given the technical ability of most internet users, it would have the same effect and issues of Intel's idea.

Can anybody suggest how this is different? And why would it pass public judgement when it has the same effect as something that the public has already vetoed?

Posted by: solprovider   Posted on: 02/13/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

• Why Isn't Server Virtualization Saving Us More? A Few Small Changes May Dramatically Increase Your Efficiency VMware Companies have rapidly adopted server virtualization over the past few ... Download Now
• The True Costs of Virtual Server Solutions VMware In an economic environment that is repeatedly heralding the message "do ... Download Now
• Five Steps to Determine When to Virtualize YourServers VMware Server virtualization isn't just for big companies. Entry-level ... Download Now