__/ [ Robert Newson ] on Wednesday 07 March 2007 19:26 \__
> From today's Metro
>
(http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=40133&in_page_id=2):
>
> ``A computer user is suing Microsoft for £100,000 because his PC's Internet
> Explorer program did not delete records of the pornography he viewed...''
>
> According to the EULA, all he's entitled to is $5.00 (or something like
> that), not the $200,000 he's seeking. If he wins [wc]ould it open the
> floodgates for compensation for the effects of Zombies[1], etc?
>
> [1] I get numerous attempts by Windwos zombies at cracking my Linux box.
The liability issue when it comes to zombies is a very fascinating one. Bear
in mind that not weak passwords are to blame.
=== Begin quote ==
"The cost of these steps could reduce our operating margins. Despite
these efforts, actual or perceived security vulnerabilities in our
products could lead some customers to seek to return products, to reduce
or delay future purchases, or to use competing products. Customers may
also increase their expenditures on protecting their existing computer
systems from attack, which could delay adoption of new technologies. Any
of these actions by customers could adversely affect our revenue. In
addition, actual or perceived vulnerabilities may lead to claims against
us. While our license agreements typically contain provisions that
eliminate or limit our exposure to such liability, there is no assurance
these provisions will be held effective under applicable laws and
judicial decisions."
Ah, from the horse's mouth: Microsoft just might be held legally responsible
for selling software that is insecure.
== End quote ==
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20061122235224396
How NSA access was built into Windows
,----[ Quote ]
| A careless mistake by Microsoft programmers has revealed that
| special access codes prepared by the US National Security Agency
| have been secretly built into Windows.
|
| [...]
|
| The first discovery of the new NSA access system was made two years
| ago by British researcher Dr Nicko van Someren. But it was only a
| few weeks ago when a second researcher rediscovered the access
| system. With it, he found the evidence linking it to NSA.
`----
http://www.heise.de/tp/r4/artikel/5/5263/1.html
Data Protection Commissioner criticizes search of private PCs online
,----[ Quote ]
| "In the case of a search via the Internet a police officer covertly,
| without the person knowing about it, accesses a person's computer."
| During such an operation he or she might copy data and obtain all
| kinds of personal documents; the police officer was acting as a "state
| hacker," so to speak. Mr. Schaar observed. "Such an approach is in
| conflict with the legal obligation to protect the core of
| individuals' privacy," Mr. Schaar stated emphatically.
`----
http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/82529/from/rss09
Could Hollywood hack your PC?
,----[ Quote ]
| Congress is about to consider an entertainment industry proposal
| that would authorize copyright holders to disable PCs used for
| illicit file trading.
`----
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-945923.html
NSA Builds Security Access Into Windows
,----[ Quote ]
| A careless mistake by Microsoft programmers has shown that special access
| codes for use by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) have been secretly
| built into all versions of the Windows operating system.
`----
http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB19990903S0014
--
~~ Best wishes
Roy S. Schestowitz | Useless fact: A dragonfly only lives for one day
http://Schestowitz.com | Open Prospects ¦ PGP-Key: 0x74572E8E
Tasks: 132 total, 1 running, 127 sleeping, 0 stopped, 4 zombie
http://iuron.com - knowledge engine, not a search engine
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