“When Microsoft introduces its long-awaited Windows Vista operating system this month, it will have an unlikely partner to thank for making its flagship product safe and secure for millions of computer users across the world: the National Security Agency,” Alec Klein and Ellen Nakashima report for The Washington Post.
Klein and Nakashima report, “For the first time, the giant software maker is acknowledging the help of the secretive agency, better known for eavesdropping on foreign officials and, more recently, U.S. citizens as part of the Bush administration’s effort to combat terrorism. The agency said it has helped in the development of the security of Microsoft’s new operating system — the brains of a computer — to protect it from worms, Trojan horses and other insidious computer attackers.”
“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,” Klein and Nakashima report.
“Novell, which sells a Linux-based operating system, also works with government agencies on software security issues, spokesman Bruce Lowry said in an e-mail,” ” Klein and Nakashima report.
Klein and Nakashima report, “The NSA’s primary mission is signals intelligence — monitoring the communications of foreign powers, terrorists and others. But its secondary objection is ‘information assurance,’ under which the security of Microsoft’s operating system falls.”
Full article here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
InformationWeek Review: Apple’s Mac OS X shines in comparison with Microsoft’s Windows Vista – January 06, 2007
Microsoft Windows Vista proves ‘pushover for Internet hackers’ – December 26, 2006
NY Times’ Pogue reviews Microsoft’s Windows Vista: ‘Looks, Locks, Lacks’ – December 14, 2006
Forbes: Microsoft Windows Vista boss suffers from Mac envy – December 12, 2006
Unlike Microsoft’s Windows Vista, Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard will create no new jobs – December 12, 2006
Microsoft Windows Vista developers used Apple Macs for inspiration – November 27, 2006
Vista decision: I’m forced to buy a new PC anyway, so why not get a Mac that can run both OSes? – November 09, 2006
Gosh, I’d hate to have to try to work with M$ on security. It would provide some job security, though.
“But its secondary objection is ‘information assurance,’ under which the security of Microsoft’s operating system falls.”
The first time I read that, I thought it said “Fails.” Ha!
Just exactly who are they protecting us from and who is protecting us from them?
Micro-fluff, no stuff.
Vista has more holes than my screen door does!
Vista: Privacy assured by the NSA – as long as you are cooperative, ya?
I think they meant “secondary objective is information assurance.” But the implication that microsoft objects to security is pretty funny.
This collaboration also helps the NSA snoop as needed and these days without FISA Court Orders thanks to the Nazis in the Bush Administration.
The current AG & former White House Counsel ALberto Gonzales actually had the gall to state, before the Senate Judiciary Committee that anything that the President does in the discharge of his official duties is automatically legal. That’s what got Tricky Dick sent home to San Clemente. The same clown (Gonzales) recently spoke before a large gathering of lawyers, including many Federal Judges (and 3 Supremes) and warned them to not ‘overstep’ their authority in cases involving the White House and Executive Branch (which NSA is a part of).
I hope that makes you feel better…
Just a little more Big Brother in your computer?
Microsoft and Security? Is that not an oxymoron…….
This collaboration also helps the NSA snoop as needed and these days without FISA Court Orders thanks to the Nazis in the Bush Administration.”
Get back to us when you receive your clue, thanks.
MDN Word; ‘attack’ – how appropriate, do I even need to say more?
Scooter wrote:
“But its secondary objection is ‘information assurance,’ under which the security of Microsoft’s operating system falls.”
The first time I read that, I thought it said “Fails.” Ha!
That’s funny! I was going to post the exact same thing, Scooter!
MS battle wear: Fishnet shirt, banana hammock and stockings.
OH MY GOD. The government is helping Microsoft be more secure!!! 🙁 Now we really are screwed.
Just when has government involvement ever made something simple and successful?? Usually it just adds complexity, cost, CYA, and beauocracy.
OH, wait, that sounds just like Microsoft. !! LOL
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Any thoughts??
N.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the OS’s have some kind of secret backdoor password (or something similar) so that Gov. can get all the data on your computer whether or not its encrypted.
@ norm e.
Amen to that. I hope Apple doesn’t accept their help. Anytime the government meddles with anything it gets less secure.
Mark,
I’ve often wondered about that. That’s scary as hell, but I wouldn’t doubt it. I mean, I don’t have anything of national importance on my iMac, but there’s probably a few photos I wouldn’t want my family to see if I died suddenly and they got hold of it.
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Yeah, right — a government agency, obviously would not have more expertise in actual OS security than those in the industry — the only “security” the NSA is concerned with is universal access to everybody’s data.