U.S. Gov't Planning To "Help Us" Secure Computers

BahdKo writes: "CNN reported today in this article that the U.S. government is working out a plan to help protect Cyberspace from attacks by "hackers and terrorists." This plan will include the distribution of government-provided software to help clean up insecure Windows installations. It's hard to picture myself executing government provided software on my workstation (we were supposed to be *increasing* the security of the PC's, right?)"

Comments

no thanks I'll just drink bleach

[gelfling]

"The effort has brought together some of the biggest names in business, including computer chipmaker Intel Corp., Chevron and Visa -- part of the group that helped create the standards and is encouraging their use"

Holy fucking shit. I didn't know gas companies, credit card companies, probably some banks and insurance companies too care so much of a shit about my cybersecurity they're willing to coopt with the Pentagon to do it.

And what have these nimbots come up with. oooooh yeaaahhhhhh! some hardening instructions for Windows code.

Can I get a Wit-nesss!

Honestly this is muy lame-o. What kind of MS or other vendor driven crap are they going to 'certify'???? These wankers lead the known universe in their utter fucking indifference to what you or I want or need, so what do you think they're going to accomplish, aside of course for some more lobbying opportunities.

Boo-Yah,

Yeah! CyberHomeland Security in the fucking house!

[dominion]

This is fucking great! I wonder if one of the million Stalin-esque informants will help me install this software?

I mean, it's really good that the same government that busts into a house, shoots an elderly black man, and then realizes the grand drug bust was supposed to go down across the street is going to help me secure my homeland. Yeah, I'm enduring my fucking freedom more and more every day!

Dominion

how do you clean up insecure Windows installations

[Anonymous Coward]

"This plan will include the distribution of government-provided software to help clean up insecure Windows installations."

so they will be providing *nix install disks?

It's a cunning plan

[Subcarrier]

This makes it almost childishly easy for the government to identify terrorists and hackers. You pick your side: either install the software or join the Axis of Evil. The Evil Doers *will* be hunted down and captured.

Re:Why is "help us" in quotes?

[ElectricRook]

Why is it cool to think that the United States Government is out to spy on everyone and in general fuck things up?

I guess you did not believe the story about the woman who was sexually harased by a govenor who became president. When she complained, her husband lost his job (worked for a company whose CEO was a friend of said prez). They got audited by the IRS on their combined $18K income. They got smeared by the president's sexual harassment defense lawyer and the un-biased press.

Now why would we want to limit the power of these people?