McAfee Will Ignore FBI Spyware

Drew writes: "The Washington Post is reporting on the FBI's new spyware called 'Magic Lantern.' According to their article, '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.' It is ridiculous that the software companies that are supposed to help us protect computers purposefully leave in loopholes for the FBI to operate their spyware."

Comments

What about linux users?

[Griim]

In contrast, Magic Lantern could be installed over the Internet by tricking a person into double-clicking an e-mail attachment

So I guess for linux users, the email would probably look like the following:

Dear Sir or Madam,
Please make sure you are root when you execute this file.

Thanks,
The FBI

Re:What about linux users?

[cperciva]

So I guess for linux users, the email would probably look like the following:

I think it is more likely that the trojan would look like:

if(uptime()>3500000) {
ExploitLocalRootHole();
DoEvilStuff();
} else {
WaitUntilNextLocalRootHoleDiscovered();
ExploitNewLocalRootHole();
DoEvilStuff();
};

Is There a Difference?

[Knunov]

"McAfee Will Ignore FBI Spyware"

They've been ignoring viruses for years. Why change now?

;)

Knunov

Logical

[heikkile]

Of course McAffee et al wanted a signature for the thing, and this was the best way to formulate the question. Besides, now they can produce a spevif Lantern-detector, and sell under the counter for a high price - and sell the names of the buyers to FBI. Ah the beauty of the free market...