Kill Switch in Windows 8?

[stevieray]

The Kill Switch Comes to the PC - Businessweek

A feature common in phones will let Microsoft remotely disable malware.

Janne Kytömäki, a Finnish software developer, was cruising Google’s Android Market for smartphone apps last year when he noticed something strange. Dozens of best-selling applications suddenly listed the same wrong publisher. It was as if Stephen King’s name had vanished from the covers of his books, replaced by an unknown author. Kytömäki realized the culprit was a piece of malware that was spreading quickly, and he posted his findings online...

 

[seekermeister]

That makes it certain that I shall not "upgrade" to Windows 8. Nobody is going to press any switches on my computer except me...if I can help it.

 

[essenbe]

I agree with Seekermeister, plus the question is if they can use a 'kill switch' for malware, what else can they do to/with your computer or OS.

 

[Trucidation]

Huh, we don't need this nonsense in our computers - there are already a plethora of security solutions available to us. Granted, it must seem alarming if you had the ability to see the hundreds of thousands of bot-infested machines out there, but I still don't think a "kill switch" for computers is a good thing. Especially when it gives black hats yet another way to screw with your system.

Kinda on the fence about kill switches for dumb phones though. My phone is a specialised device, all it does it make messages and calls. If it happened to pick up malware I'd have no idea how to get rid of it. I'd feel happier if I could press a button combo that resets everything to preset factory defaults or something though, rather than having to rely on a remote kill switch.

 

[logicearth]

Bah, people should learn to read. It only applies to application you download from the App Store for Metro. Side loading from outside the App Store will not be affected. So in reality those that are concerned will not be affected because I doubt they would be using metro or the App Store to begin with.

 

[Coke Robot]

That seems like it could be a bad thing while being a good thing. This will only apply to apps from the Windows Store, and just that. But then again, once that happens, what's to stop someone from reaching even further and killing code that stops piracy without you knowing?...

But I bet Microsoft would inform the user of such as not to seem Big Brothery...

 

[logicearth]

The market, would not let Microsoft get away with that. It becomes nothing more then FUD.

 

[arkhi]

there are already a plethora of security solutions available to us.

This. That alone should be enough. They can program MSE to allow such code to be disabled. The kill switch will only be a redundant idea. That being said, it's no suprise this is causing a concern because we already have the ability to detect and disable Malware.

What prevents Microsoft to controlling the MS Store with kill switches just like how Apple would?

 

[logicearth]

What prevents Microsoft from controlling the Microsoft Store? How would they not control something they own? I fail to understand your reasoning. Again, this kill switch is only for applications downloaded from the store. Removing a rogue application from the store and victim's computers is a good thing. It will never affect anything outside of the store.

So really...going to let fear and uncertainty drive you?

 

[Qdos]

I'm sure somebody will write a patch, or registry hack, to disable Microsoft's "Kill Switch" as soon as W8 has launched, personally I think the concept is derisory and will put many people off the new operating system...

 

[stevieray]

I don't like this development at all.

Does anybody remember the controversy a few years ago when Amazon deleted "Animal Farm" and "1984" from Kindles, without warning or permission, even though its customers paid for the books? This move from MS reminds me of that debacle. And Amazon, a company that justifiably prides itself on its customer service, betrayed their customers under pressure from a mere publisher... what kind of deceit could the pressure from a government force on us all? Only for our own good, of course... right? Yeah, sure.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Agreed

I don't like this development at all.

Does anybody remember the controversy a few years ago when Amazon deleted "Animal Farm" and "1984" from Kindles, without warning or permission, even though its customers paid for the books? This move from MS reminds me of that debacle.

I remember that.

And Amazon, a company that justifiably prides itself on its customer service, betrayed their customers under pressure from a mere publisher... what kind of deceit could the pressure from a government force on us all? Only for our own good, of course... right? Yeah, sure.

"A terrorist, somewhere on the Internet, sent an email. The Government has asked us to turn off everyone's computers, until this menace has been apprehended."

 

[arkhi]

What prevents Microsoft from controlling the Microsoft Store? How would they not control something they own? I fail to understand your reasoning. Again, this kill switch is only for applications downloaded from the store. Removing a rogue application from the store and victim's computers is a good thing. It will never affect anything outside of the store.

So really...going to let fear and uncertainty drive you?

Controlling their own store is okay. Controlling our device? Not really. Just like what stevieray pointed out, it can be abused, and it can allow them to do... certain things. Removing malicious software from your own PC? Fine, even though I already have something that can do that job just fine. But what if someone would pressure MS to remove a software from your phone that you already paid for because they wanted to, just like that same experience stevieray pointed out.

Also, think of the security. If such a kill switch is available, what prevents malicious hackers from exploiting it? I remember Ubisoft's controversial DRM included with Assassin's Creed. There was a kill switch to disable said DRM (which Ubisoft said they will activate once they think they can no longer have their DRM servers up), and it only took a matter of time for crackers to find it.

I'd rather be very uncertain about this than give my full submission. Submission gives rise to power.

 

[Sprockett]

I'm sure somebody will write a patch, or registry hack, to disable Microsoft's "Kill Switch" as soon as W8 has launched, personally I think the concept is derisory and will put many people off the new operating system...

I think you make an extremely important point here. Whether this kill switch will do what the public thinks or not is almost moot, as the public will automatically read it as another attempt by a big corporation to gain more control of their machines. With security and privacy being the hot buttons they are today, these kind of moves no matter how benign always seem to end in a mess.

So, a company spends who knows how much money/time developing a bit of tech, which is defeated a few hours after official release and only succeeds in landing them in public relations hell.

I can see what they are trying to accomplish, I'm just not convinced it's ever going to work.

 

[lehnerus2000]

DRM and the "Cloud"

So, a company spends who knows how much money/time developing a bit of tech, which is defeated a few hours after official release and only succeeds in landing them in public relations hell.

I can see what they are trying to accomplish, I'm just not convinced it's ever going to work.

Just like DRM on media files.

Why do you think companies are pushing the "Cloud"?
It certainly isn't because it benefits consumers.

 

[Britton30]

That makes it certain that I shall not "upgrade" to Windows 8. Nobody is going to press any switches on my computer except me...if I can help it.

I agree with Seekermeister, plus the question is if they can use a 'kill switch' for malware, what else can they do to/with your computer or OS.

And what can they see? If they can do it others will be able to do the same thing, to plant malware.

So really...going to let fear and uncertainty drive you?

Nah, I'll trust them every bit as much as our elected officials are looking out for our best interests.

 

[Palindari]

Perhaps this may be a good thing. But allow me to set the record straight - I'm in no way, shape or form an individual that relinquishes his rights for the greater good (Patriot Act, anyone?).

With that said, and playing a little devil's advocate here, what if MS can prevent DOS attacks from compromised/zombie Win8 systems? Or any of the multitude of worm viruses that idiots keep creating, because they cannot get laid on a regular basis, from spreading halfway across the Internet?

This could be a good thing in that regard.

Honestly, I dislike even being data mined by Google every time I turn around for customer aimed advertising. To have my computer, with my personal information being accessed remotely anytime someone deems it necessary...

Well, maybe Orwell was only off by thirty years...

 

[Palindari]

Just like DRM on media files.

You should read some of Cory Doctorow's lectures on DRM - great stuff - especially to who he lectured them with lol

 

[Catswold]

Bah, people should learn to read. It only applies to application you download from the App Store for Metro. Side loading from outside the App Store will not be affected. So in reality those that are concerned will not be affected because I doubt they would be using metro or the App Store to begin with.

Yeah, THIS!!!

The first requirement for someone to post a comment on an article is that they SHOULD HAVE READ IT COMPLETELY FIRST.

Microsoft declined to answer questions about the kill switch in Windows 8 other than to say it will only be able to remove or change applications downloaded through the new app store. Any software loaded from a flash drive, DVD, or directly from the Web will remain outside Microsoft’s control.

This isn't George Orwell's 1984, YET, but it is sufficient to suggest that we end-users remain alert to any attempt to expand the reach of this ability.

All this does is, as someone else stated, is allow Microsoft to retain control of what it markets from its apps page and while it does give one pause, it is not yet time to switch to linux because of it.

I will probably stick with Win 7, because I don't like the look of Win 8 and, because I don't have any touch responsive devices.