Slashdot Mirror
X-Box Hackers Trying to Blackmail Microsoft?
wumarkus420 writes "According to this article from CNet News, an anonymous X-Box security research team is threatening Microsoft: either release a digitally-signed official Linux bootloader or face the release of a new exploit that supposedly works without a modchip. While I doubt Microsoft 'negotiates with terrorists,' this should still turn out to be a good I-told-you-so if the exploit is verified." Sounds like a good way to end up in jail.
These morons are just going to make the case for tougher enforcement and DRM.
It's not a war we want - because (and not to be trite) everyone will lose. Throw these criminals in jail and get on with it.
You know, c|net did a pretty good job of covering the story without the scare-mongering, sensationalistic crap that this poster did. People could read the article and draw their own conclusions, rather than shepherding the flock to the appropriate anti-X rhetoric opinion.
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THis is, plain and simple, a bluff. If they had a way to do it, they'd release it; why wouldn't they? Who needs an official bootloader if you can boot Linux without a modchip?
It's a bluff to bully MS into allowing Linux on the Xbox. And it isn't going to work.
yeah really professional guys,thanks for that
what happens when IT/CTO managers read antics like this ?, you think it furthers Linux adoption or sets it back ?, i know we would look rather stupid if this article came up at one of our board meetings,
G
Take gun, aim at foot, pull trigger. Repeat until death.
Of course, Microsoft can fix the problem in upcoming Xboxes, which will happen if they do release the exploit.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Trying to twist Microsoft's arm into releasing an official Linux bootloader is definitely the wrong way to go. If people were able to convince MS that there was actually a market for that sort of thing then they might do it themselves, but that's doubtful. Nevertheless, trying to blackmail MS into doing it will only increase the already massive resentment MS suits feel towards the open source movement.
And quite frankly it doesn't make the Linux crown look very nice. Not that MS has very moral business practices; but there's no need to lower ourselves to their level.
This is left as an exercise for the reader.
Sounds like a good way to end up in jail.
True. However, if the story is true, then the blackmailers are quite technologically savvy. If they also have the willpower (e.g. not bragging about it), it could be next to impossible to trace.
And if I were rich, I wouldn't have to rob a bank.
So does the fact that I'm not rich justify my robbing a bank?
"Ask not what your country can do for you." --John F. Kennedy
ENOUGH with the "MS loses money for every Xbox sold". So, if we the /. readers are to read you comment, then MS doesn't want to sell Xboxes? Ludicrous.
MS sells Xboxes at a loss so they can gain an upper hand over the rest of the Videogame market. They have much larger profit margins than the rest (Sony, Nintendo), so they can lower prices to such a level where the rest can't compete. Then they don't need to worry about lowering prices because they'll have beaten out the other consoles.
AND, for every Xbox bought MS loses less money. There fore they want more sold, not fewer.
The "Buy an Xbox and MS loses money" argument is stupid stupid stupid. MS wants you to buy and Xbox. They lose more money for every Xbox on the shelves than every one brought home.
They're trying to force Microsoft to release a piece of software that turns the Xbox into a cheap PC that Microsoft sells at a significant loss. I'm sorry, but I don't see that as especially likely. The modification they propose still requires you to solder the mainboard of the Xbox, and to flash the BIOS. That's only moderately cheaper and easier than installing a modchiop, and a lot more prohibitive than popping a disc into the drive. Let's not also forget that flashing your BIOS in that fashion effectively bars you from playing Xbox Live, since it automatically scans the BIOS on load. Many mod chips, on the other hand, can be switched on and off making them a much more reasonable solution for many pirates.
Quite simply, Microsoft has not motivation to comply. How does the "research group" expect to keep their method from leaking? It will leak regardless. So Microsoft either makes an official linux bootloader for Xbox or not... Hmm.... tough choice.
I used to bulls-eye womp-rats in my pants
If you had *read* the article, you'd realize that if MS releases an official bootloader, this will *avoid* piracy. The group says they will release the exploit if MS refuses, and the exploit, which allows Linux to boot, ALSO allows for piracy, while an official boot loader wouldn't.
RTFA.
-- Having a Creationist Museum is like having an Atheist place of worship
Almost.
You're forgetting the obvious.
Each XBOX is a loss to Microsoft. Supply channels mean there aren't a lot of em on store shelves anyway.
Microsoft's greatest fear? A situation where someone buys an XBOX, and *no* games. Ever.
Let's pull a number out of my ass and say the MS needs someone to buy 2 games to "break even" on an XBOX sale. If you buy an XBOX, Mod it, run Linux and/or pirated games exclusively on it, then all you've done is cost them money. They've lost money on you.
If modding the XBOX becomes trivial, the chance that less games will be bought, and that the magic number of required games will *not* be exceeded for them to be profitable grows. THAT is the issue.
It's not "Microsoft doesn't want you to buy an XBOX", its "Microsoft doesn't want you to buy an XBOX and *nothing else*".
The only reason that's funny is that it's true.
:)
WHy can't you get modded Funny *AND* insightful?
My journal has hot
I hear you saying, "That's lame. You can't use regulate people's behavior to that level." I certainly agree. And eventually the big IP hoarders will figure this out. But in the meantime -- well, I was never any good at tennis.
Denmark was the first country to adopt the EUCD (DMCA++). Here's a good EUCD status page. It has the same broad anti-circumvention tool proscriptions as the DMCA.
If they really have a mod-less hack to allow unsigned code to boot on the xbox the correct thing to do is release it.
There is no way MS will allow Linux or any other OS to boot on xbox as that effectively makes the system open and then MS wouldn't make any money selling certificates.
Besides, MS will now play the terrorist card and you _know_ how well that plays in Washington.
I don't think you understand what it means to own something. If I were to buy an Xbox, I could legally use it as a boat anchor, a footwarmer, or to run any software I wish to run on that computer. It's only a video game system if you choose to use it to play video games.
Microsoft can hope all they like, but buying an Xbox doesn't legally compel the buyer to get even one game. You can buy it and smash it just to admire the the pieces if you want. That's your right as the owner.
Yes. Why shouldn't they be able to run their legal software on hardware they own? You don't have to sign a EULA to buy an Xbox.
That's the deal they are offering. They are saying "Let us run legal software that we have a fair use right to run on our own hardware, without compromising your security system *or* we will allow any software to be run whether it is signed by MS or not."