trusted computing

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Grifter · #1 Post by **Grifter** » 2006-11-18 05:20

Does anyone else fear this?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/17 ... are_specs/

I don't really know much about this at all; it seems to assume that you run windows, but what will it mean if you run debian? Will it interfere, will it even allow you to boot up linux? You tend to fear what you don't know, and I don't know anything about this, so I fear it greatly

When I first switched from win to deb, I made the decision that if I couldn't learn to operate it, I'd stop using computers; I didn't want to stop using computers, and it turns out I learned quite well, but if trusted computing is the future, then maybe my future will do without computers at all :(

TonyT · #2 Post by **TonyT** » 2006-11-18 13:51

It won't interfere w/ anything because the installed OS must be able to interface w/ the TCM device chip on the MB. And applications/services must also be able to utiilize it. get the idea of your distro not detecting hardware, the os still works but ignores the undected device.

What is TCM?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_Platform_Module

TCM & Linux:
http://lwn.net/Articles/144681/

inconnu · #3 Post by **inconnu** » 2006-11-20 06:52

I still don't understand all the ramifications of it, but I'm suspicious ... Here's another take on it: http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/can-you-trust.html

sargek · #4 Post by **sargek** » 2006-11-20 11:58

I find it very scary, and this further increases my mistrust/hatred of microsoft. It would seem the entire movement of these 'V chips" is to "protect" us, but in reality, it could potentially make $ for microsoft: enforce the use of IE, etc.

I am not sure if these chips would ever actually prevent a computer from accessing the Internet unless it is running windows, because the FSF and the entire GNU/Linux community would certainly revolt. Of course we can all envision a scenario where motherboards are manufactured to only run windows, and all of the broadband companies only allow these motherboards to access their networks. Kind of a "1984" scenario.

DId I mention I hated microsoft?

thamarok · #5 Post by **thamarok** » 2006-11-20 12:51

I would change the name of that thingy to "Untrusted Computing".. Sounds like Micro$oft wants all non-Window$ users to use Window$..... I really don't understand that gate of bills

ajdlinux · #6 Post by **ajdlinux** » 2006-11-23 06:46

I think that while the TPM chip could be used for good, it's Microsoft who's going to be using it perhaps in a not so good way...

It would be good to have a system like this to protect from malware etc but this goes further than that.

Lavene · #7 Post by **Lavene** » 2006-11-25 03:59

Sorry for liking to a /. story but it contains a few good links in addition to the main story: http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl ... 7&from=rss

Tina