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Microsoft Opens Source Code To KGB's Successor Agency

Posted by timothy on from the we'll-trade-for-american-spyware dept.

Jack Spine writes "Microsoft has struck a deal with the Russian government which will give the FSB, successor to the KGB, access to the source code for Windows 7, among other products. The agreement is an extension of Microsoft's Government Security Program, according to a source with links to the UK government."

8 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. security holes of releasing source code by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    yay, so now the Russians will know all the holes in Windows 7 and how to exploit them, no?

    1. Re:security holes of releasing source code by datapharmer · · Score: 3, Insightful

      i'd say a specific linux build for national security sensitive applications is in order

      Try setting SE Linux to "enabled".

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    2. Re:security holes of releasing source code by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Do you really think most countries have any interest in reviewing all the code in windows?

      If you can't compile the code into a working binary using the same compiler that was used to produce the production binary because you're missing parts, then you can't be sure that the source code you have represents the binary you're using. You have take Microsoft's word for it, and it's not like the rep you're talking to is the actual guy who manages the build, so even he doesn't actually know for sure.

      An incomplete set of source is absolutely useless for a true security audit.

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  2. Available as a Torrent in 3... 2... 1... by Xtense · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Available as a Torrent in 3... 2... 1...

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  3. As Stalin said by gillbates · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Wasn't it Stalin who said, "The capitalists will sell us the rope we use to hang them."

    Nice to know that Microsoft, after complaining for years that open source was insecure because anyone could see the code, is now providing same to Russia. Nothing quite like putting quarterly profits above national security.

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  4. Re:Buildable? by tibman · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How can the russians trust the source code to a binary if they can't compile and compare the binaries?

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  5. Re:I'm sure this will turn out well by dargaud · · Score: 3, Insightful

    When you ask a russian his opinion on some leader (either russian or otherwise), whenever he wants to praise that leader, he'll always add 'he's a strong leader'. It seems that russians only recognize leadership when it is associated with strength, so do not be surprised that they go from dictatorship to dictatorship. It's mostly self-inflicted.

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  6. How the worm turns.... by zkiwi34 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It wasn't all that long ago when dear old Bil Gates et al were claiming in front of the DoJ that giving anyone (their competitors) access to Windows code would be a threat to national security. Fast forward to now and it appears that either the truth changed a whole lot or for some reason national security interests are served by giving China and Russia and who knows, maybe even the French access to Windows source.

    The new Windows, our most secure OS ever!! Well...