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Chinese Govt Spyware Puts Computers At Risk

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the big-brother-speaks-mandarin dept.

Ihmhi writes "China's mandatory 'Green Dam Youth Escort' web filter software apparently has a series of severe flaws. In addition to not working on Linux or MacOS, traffic between the software and its servers is unencrypted." I'm sure it only gets better after that.

5 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. Linux people always complaining by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In addition to not working on Linux or MacOS

    FFS, just run it in Wine!

  2. Your friendly Chinese government official here. by BlueKitties · · Score: 5, Informative

    The "mandatory" software these computers will be shipped with is no different than a VChip inside of all modern American TVs; it's a feature people may use, but are allowed to uninstall at their sole discretion. Besides, this stuff runs on Windows, it's just one more straw on the pile of ways to hijack an unprotected computer. We also choose a tool that doesn't run on Linux because we're sick of typing 'sudo apt-get install wine' everytime we install a new Linux distro. This assures minimal typing for all Chinese Linux users.

    --
    "Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad." [Ecclesiastes 7:3]
  3. Bad move ... by oldspewey · · Score: 5, Funny

    "We found a series of software flaws," explained Isaac Mao, a blogger and social entrepreneur in China

    ... when contacted later for further comment, it was discovered that Mao had been assigned to 18 years of reeducation through labour in the coal-mining provinces.

    --
    If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
    1. Re:Bad move ... by BlueKitties · · Score: 5, Funny

      No, we've assured his skills will remain in good use. If you wish to speak on him, please PM him on the US Shattered Hand Realm for WoW, where he has been assigned 18 years of reeducation through labor in the WoW-gold mining servers.

      --
      "Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad." [Ecclesiastes 7:3]
  4. Re:This software is legally mandated. by L4t3r4lu5 · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's mandated that it be sold with all new computers. It doesn't need to be installed, just supplied with the PC.

    Think of it as an AOL Free Trial CD. You remember, the free coaster they shipped.

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