In 2007, the agency confirmed that it had a hand in Windows Vista as part of an initiative to ensure that the operating system was secure from attack and would work with other government software.

The NSA ensuring that the operating system was secure from attack? More like spying on our computers so that the people can't reach out and speak of revolution, or monitor us at ATS.

But when the NSA puts hands on Windows, that raises a red flag for Rotenberg, who heads the Washington, D.C.-based public interest research center. “When NSA offers to help the private sector on computer security, the obvious concern is that it will also build in backdoors that enables tracking users and intercepting user communications,” Rotenberg said in an e-mail. “And private sector firms are reluctant to oppose these ’suggestions’ since the US government is also their biggest customer and opposition to the NSA could mean to loss of sales.”

We are all probably on the hitlist right now, theres no doubt about that. Scary stuff.

All the new multimedia capabilities of Windows 7 require authentication right?
Without authentication it is harder to prove you owe for broadband media services rendered. Nothing nefarious going on here.

Ok this is sooooo weird.

At about 6:00 PM, I just finished wiping Windows 7 from my main laptop in favour of a linux based OS as well as wiping XP from my net book for the same linux distro. Thread was posted at 6:15...strange.

Not sure I like the NSA being involved with the development of Windows 7. Just makes it easier for them to tap into your personal stuff when your in cahoots with Bill Gates, the almighty thief.

One could go to linux, but then 90% of software will no longer work.

Windows 7 is okay, but they could've done better. I pity anyone that tries to use the built-in email package live mail. The NSA probably put that in there to fry our brains. I know. It fried mine.

Originally posted by rizla
One could go to linux, but then 90% of software will no longer work.

Windows 7 is okay, but they could've done better. I pity anyone that tries to use the built-in email package live mail. The NSA probably put that in there to fry our brains. I know. It fried mine.

Not necessarily true. Just FYI
There are several programs which let you run a virtual hard drive. There is Wine that allows you to run some windows apps fairly well. I find it to be glitchy at best with most.
As a back up, I run virtualbox with windows XP, just in case I should need to access any windows programs. That also allows me to cage the MS operating system and keep it from infecting anything in my inux distro. Anything put out by bill gates and his band of goons is glitchy and sub par. For any program in a windows operating system there is an equal linux distribution that equals, and many times exceeds any microsoft application. The best part is that most of the time it is free and distributed open source.

Those windows 7 commercials really piss me off. This whole thing of streaming media to your tv and other sources (as well as accessing other computers) is nothing new. I have been doing this for quite some time. All it takes is a little reading but most of the computer illiterate society buys it hook, line and sinker. Just because you can whip up a spreadsheet in excel does not make you a computer genius. Heh, you should see what I can do. I choose not to use my knowledge for malicious purposes...well, ok; I did it a few times to wi-fi leechers when my router became mysteriously un-secured.

Ok, back on topic. If I as an average joe scmoe can do the things I can do...without ever having attended one single solitary day of school for it, imagine what the techies at the NSA can do. I shudder to think. If I can hack my way into a secure connection and flip on someones webcam and watch them...that's scary because I am an amateur with a decent laptop and a broadband connection. Just imagine having the equipment they do. The possibilities are endless.

Enough rant...later all.


-Nate


edit-post was discombobulated. fixed it

[edit on 2-3-2010 by Acid_Burn2009]

[edit on 2-3-2010 by Acid_Burn2009]

If i wasn't an avid PC gamer i would move to linux, but alas i am so the only option is windows. WINE is still not compatible enough imo, plus im too lazy to dual boot all the time. In any case it makes sense for the NSA to use windows as a platform for spying if need be. Although i imagine it is only used for a specific reason and not blanket spying. Just a little hassle free door for them to use from time to time.

The fact that we are slaves to technology and computers allows them to work freely through companies like Microsoft, it's scary stuff.

Just to jack the paranoia level up a bit..

If they have admitted this, what haven't they admitted?

You only know what they tell you.

Feeling better?

They cannot put direct monitoring software like keylogger in the OS. It would be discovered pretty easily and Microsoft already has a bad reputation. This is not as risky as it may sound.

Well that sucks. Windows 7 is the best OS I've messed around with, but just wow. Makes me seriously think about changing to linux and saying # off to video games period..

pretty sure the NSA has better things to monitor than a bunch of harmless kooks hellbent on blowing the global conspiracy wide open. maybe they're using their supposed backdoors to keep an eye on skilled video game players so they can recruit them for CIA sniper teams

I would definitely go with Linux if my 3d modeling software would work on it. On a related note, I was looking at the prices of software today at Frys and Windows 7 Home Premium is $199.00 while Mac OSX Snow Leopard is $30.00.

I may put together another computer just so I can run Linux on a box of it's own so I can get familiar with it.



[edit on 3-8-2010 by groingrinder]

Well, there won't be as many complaints when this alien think can be draminated by Blizzard's release of that there Starcraft II.

Where, all is good, yet again