Security software, including PGP and anti-virus ware, is either looking out for your interests or those of the government. It can't do both, and now we know where McAfee stands. I invite McAfee to reply; I will distribute any response unedited. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1436-2001Nov22.html At least one antivirus software company, McAfee Corp., contacted the FBI on Wednesday to ensure its software wouldn't inadvertently detect the bureau's snooping software and alert a criminal suspect. http://www.politechbot.com/p-02822.html "FBI reportedly creating "Magic Lantern" anti-crypto virus" -Declan [Below posts forwarded from Dave Farber's IP list] --- >Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2001 14:06:47 -0700 >To: David Farber <daveat_private> >From: Brett Glass <brettat_private> >Subject: Re: IP: Detecting Magic Lantern? > >At 01:31 PM 11/24/2001, David Farber wrote: > >>At 01:52 PM 11/23/2001, Henry E. Schaffer wrote: >> >> >"At least one antivirus software company, McAfee Corp., contaced the FBI >> >on Wednesday to ensure its software wouldn't inadvertently detect the >> >bureau's snooping software and alert a criminal subject." >> > >> >http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1436-2001Nov22.html > >I have just removed all Network Associates products from my workstations >and network servers, and will no longer recommend them to my clients >or readers. > >I have taken this position because Network Associates, by rigging its >products not to detect tampering by specific parties of its choosing, has >betrayed users' trust and started a descent down a perilous, slippery >slope. Will the company next change its PGP ("Pretty Good Privacy") >software so that it contains back doors as well? Will its "Sniffer" >products be configured to ignore certain types of attacks and allow >selected parties onto customers' networks undetected, possibly hiding >illegal searches by freewheeling law enforcement personnel? Will its >"Magic Solutions" products, which allow remote control and maintenance >of user workstations, become a vector for the installation of spying >software by government snoops? > >Just as disturbing as the company's breach of trust with its customers >is the prospect that others will exploit the back doors installed for >the benefit of government agencies. > >Network Associates has shown that it is willing to compromise its >integrity by selling intentionally faulty products. For this reason, >it is no longer appropriate or wise for those concerned about the >security of their networks, systems, or confidential data to use them. > >--Brett Glass ******** >Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2001 12:47:23 -0800 (PST) >From: Lauren Weinstein <laurenat_private> >To: daveat_private >Dave, > >The latest very short "Fact Squad Radio" audio commentary deals with the >risks of the FBI's reported "Magic Lantern" project and similar systems. >The piece is called "The Spy in Your Computer?" and is available via: > > http://www.factsquad.org/radio > >Thanks much. > >--Lauren-- >Lauren Weinstein >laurenat_private or laurenat_private or laurenat_private >Co-Founder, PFIR - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org >Co-Founder, Fact Squad - http://www.factsquad.org >Co-Founder, URIICA - Union for Representative International Internet > Cooperation and Analysis - http://www.uriica.org >Moderator, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com >Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy ******** ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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