Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 18th Oct 2011 21:03 UTC, submitted by Dirge
"The Free Software Foundation released a statement open for public signing, titled 'Stand up for your freedom to install free software'. The statement is a response to Microsoft's announcement that if computer makers wish to distribute machines with the Windows 8 compatibility logo, they must implement a system called 'Secure Boot'. The FSF statement warns against the danger that, if done wrong, this system would have to be called Restricted Boot, because it could make computers incapable of running anything but Windows." Signed.
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RE[2]: Security isn't a dirty word
by Gestahlt on Tue 18th Oct 2011 23:32
in reply to "RE: Security isn't a dirty word"
Member since:2011-10-17
RE[3]: Security isn't a dirty word
by Bill Shooter of Bul on Wed 19th Oct 2011 21:44
in reply to "RE[2]: Security isn't a dirty word"
Member since:2006-07-14
RE[2]: Security isn't a dirty word
by f0dder on Wed 19th Oct 2011 00:09
in reply to "RE: Security isn't a dirty word"
Member since:2009-08-05
After a long hiatus, MBR based rootkits are semi-slowly starting to appear again. And the MBR is not the only time you can attack the boot sequence if BIOS-based operating systems. x64 versions of Windows have enforced driver signing, but there's plenty of time during the boot sequence before those checks are being done.
RE[3]: Security isn't a dirty word
by Alfman on Wed 19th Oct 2011 04:31
in reply to "RE[2]: Security isn't a dirty word"
Member since:2011-01-28
f0dder,
"After a long hiatus, MBR based rootkits are semi-slowly starting to appear again."
Your missing the key piece though, the system will have been infected through another vulnerability in the first place - secure boot does NOT fix that!!!
And in any case, we're not arguing against secure booting, that's a total red herring. We're arguing against a security feature a 3rd party holds the keys to. I don't mind that a 3rd party holds the keys by default - but to be a legitimate security feature the spec would have to provide an explicit method for the owner to take control and stop trusting microsoft/vendor.
RE[3]: Security isn't a dirty word
by Soulbender on Wed 19th Oct 2011 06:47
in reply to "RE[2]: Security isn't a dirty word"
Member since:2005-08-18
Interesting, I can remember back ion the day when MBR viruses was all the rage but that was like 20 years ago.
An interesting question is what happens if the verification fail. Is your PC effectively bricked? Can you still boot from other media? If yes, What if you don't have any install/recovery media (increasingly common today)?
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Member since:
2005-08-18
Exactly what wide-spread real-world threats does Secure Boot protect the average user from?