Microsoft denies ‘key’ charges
By Ted Bridis, Associated Press
Washington -- Microsoft Corp. sought to assure consumers Friday that
it didn’t insert a secret backdoor in its popular Windows software to allow
the U.S. government to snoop on their sensitive computer data.
The sensational charge of a quiet alliance between Microsoft and the U.S.
National Security Agency came after a Canadian programmer stumbled
across an obscure digital “signing key” that had been labeled the “NSA
key” in the latest version of Microsoft’s business-level Windows NT
software.
An organization with such a signature key accepted by Windows could
theoretically load software to make it easier to look at sensitive date --
such as e-mail or financial records -- that had been scrambled. The flaw
would affect almost any version of Windows, the software that runs most
of the world’s personal computers.
Microsoft forcefully denied it gave any government agency such a key,
and explained that it called its function an “NSA key” because that
federal agency reviews technical details for the export of powerful
data-scrambling software.
“These are just used to ensure that we’re compliant with U.S. export
regulations,” said Scott Culp, Microsoft’s security manager for its
Windows NT Server software. “We have not shared the private keys. We
do not share our keys.”
Security consultant Andrew Fernandes of Ontario originally leveled the
claim against Microsoft on his Web site.
Culp called Fernandes’ claims “completely false.”
An NSA spokesman declined immediate comment.
Bruce Schneier, a cryptography expert, said the claim by Fernandes
“makes no sense” because a government agency as sophisticated as
the NSA doesn’t need Microsoft’s help to unscramble sensitive computer
information.
(unquote; San Antonio Express-News, 9/4/99; pg 2D
(bold for stress by Dennis)
There now, doesn’t that make you feel better?
For other assurances, see:
http://www.thefiringline.com:8080/forums/showthread.php?threadid=23863
------------------
Vote your conscience, not your fears.
Libertarians support RKBA!
By Ted Bridis, Associated Press
Washington -- Microsoft Corp. sought to assure consumers Friday that
it didn’t insert a secret backdoor in its popular Windows software to allow
the U.S. government to snoop on their sensitive computer data.
The sensational charge of a quiet alliance between Microsoft and the U.S.
National Security Agency came after a Canadian programmer stumbled
across an obscure digital “signing key” that had been labeled the “NSA
key” in the latest version of Microsoft’s business-level Windows NT
software.
An organization with such a signature key accepted by Windows could
theoretically load software to make it easier to look at sensitive date --
such as e-mail or financial records -- that had been scrambled. The flaw
would affect almost any version of Windows, the software that runs most
of the world’s personal computers.
Microsoft forcefully denied it gave any government agency such a key,
and explained that it called its function an “NSA key” because that
federal agency reviews technical details for the export of powerful
data-scrambling software.
“These are just used to ensure that we’re compliant with U.S. export
regulations,” said Scott Culp, Microsoft’s security manager for its
Windows NT Server software. “We have not shared the private keys. We
do not share our keys.”
Security consultant Andrew Fernandes of Ontario originally leveled the
claim against Microsoft on his Web site.
Culp called Fernandes’ claims “completely false.”
An NSA spokesman declined immediate comment.
Bruce Schneier, a cryptography expert, said the claim by Fernandes
“makes no sense” because a government agency as sophisticated as
the NSA doesn’t need Microsoft’s help to unscramble sensitive computer
information.
(unquote; San Antonio Express-News, 9/4/99; pg 2D
(bold for stress by Dennis)
There now, doesn’t that make you feel better?
For other assurances, see:
http://www.thefiringline.com:8080/forums/showthread.php?threadid=23863
------------------
Vote your conscience, not your fears.
Libertarians support RKBA!