The Future of Trusted Linux Computing

ttttt writes "MadPenguin.org tackles the idea of Trusted Computing in its latest column. According to author Matt Hartley, the idea of TC is quite reasonable; offering a locked-down environment offers several advantages to system administrators with possibly troublesome users. 'With the absence of proprietary code in the mix users will find themselves more inclined to trust their own administrators to make the best choices ... And so long as any controlled environment is left with checks and balances [like] the option for withdrawal should a school or business wish to opt out, then more power to those who want a closed off TC in an open source world." LWN.net has an older but slightly more balanced look at the TC approach.

Comments

If the owner controlls all the keys, its fine

[jonwil]

There is nothing wrong with hardware assisted security if the owner controls all the keys and nothing can touch the trusted hardware without the owner specifically installing it (i.e. logging in as root/administrator and changing things).

Trusted Computing is only bad if the owner of the hardware does not have control over the software on the machine, the hardware keys etc.