Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

DRM Based on Trusted Computing Chips

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the never-saw-it-coming dept.

An anonymous reader writes "We've always know that Trusted Computing is really about DRM, but computer makers always denied it. Now that their Trusted Computing chips are standard on most new PCs, they've decided to come clean. According to Information Week, Lenovo has demonstrated a Thinkpad with built-in Microsoft and Adobe DRM that uses a Trusted Computing chip with a fingerprint sensor. Even worse: 'The system is also aimed at tracking who reads a document and when, because the chip can report back every access attempt. If you access the file, your fingerprint is recorded.'"

5 of 484 comments (clear)

  1. Does your PC have Trusted Computing? by iso_bars · · Score: 5, Informative

    You can find a list of known Trusted Platform Module (TPM) manufacturers and implementations from the TPM Matrix

  2. RMS's Nightmare is Coming by edward.virtually@pob · · Score: 5, Informative

    He warned us long ago. Of course, even now the masses will fail to be alarmed. "It's only a demo." Etc. "Boil 'em slow, they'll never know." Oh well.

  3. Re:Oh no, I can hear them cry by exKingZog · · Score: 5, Informative

    That only applies to OEM copies of Windows, not boxed. Still sucks, I know.

    --
    "If he were a plant, people would roll him up and smoke him."
  4. Re:Right but...Change is good by jackb_guppy · · Score: 4, Informative
    You must also agree with the police chief.

    Change is not always good. Why do I want to pay for equipment that I will not own?

    These "TRUSTED" machines are untrust worthly. You will not be able to control what runs on them. Some one else will decide if you can use your own equipment. Just like the lies with HDTV and HMDI. It is about setting up toll booths deep in your own pockets.

  5. There is much truth in what you say by lokedhs · · Score: 4, Informative
    I know it was a joke, but if had had mod points I'd given you +1 insightful on that one.

    The problem with fingerprints is that it's inherently a very insecure way of authentication for two reasons:

    Firstly, you can't change it if it leaks out. A password or a credit card number can be easily changed and the damage minimised in case of an information leak. Doing this with a fingerprint is much harder.

    Secondly, the fingerprint is very hard to keep secret. Your body has this annoying ability to leave copies of your identification token all over the place, very easy for anyone to pick up. If you were worried about the ability to scan proximity tags (RFID), then you should be really scared about the use of fingerprints as authentication tokens.

    If you don't believe me how easy it is to pick up, read this about how to make a copy of ones fingerprint using common household items.