Should Intel decide what software we can run?

[Borg 386]

Intel has a brilliant new idea to make our computers safe: dictate what software we’re allowed to use.

Ars Technica reports on Intel’s walled garden plan to put A/V vendors out of business. It starts out sounding tentatively very positive about plans announced at the Intel Developer Forum by Paul Otellini.

The idea appears to be very similar to the way Apple manages the iPhone App Store, where every single piece of software in it has to be approved and certified by Apple before it is made available to the public — except it is meant to apply to every x86 architecture platform Intel produces in the future, most likely including a future replacement for whatever computer you use to read this article. Intel is pitching its own plan with its marketing apparently focused purely on security for now, talking about trusted vendors’ software being the only software allowed to run on its platforms. The idea seems to be that a “default deny” approach to allowing software to run on the system would be preferable to the current “default allow”, with only certified software offerings being able to run on the system.

While the initial careful boosterism eventually falters, the assumption inherent in the tone of the Ars Technica article never even questions the validity of such an approach to security, with Intel acting as final arbiter of All Things Trustworthy. If you know anything about real security, though — where real security is defined by the needs of the user, and not the business model of the vendor — your first thought upon reading the article should probably be something like, “I wonder if I should plan to move all my hardware to AMD processors.”

Read more:

Should Intel decide what software we can run? | IT Security | TechRepublic.com

 

[Win7User512]

No, they shouldn't. Apple doesn't control what software is on Macs, only iOS.

A silly idea, IMO. Probably a gray area for trusts too.

Why only x86 though?

 

[abuttino]

Jailbreak your computers... Nice thought isn't it?

We are living in the days of DMCA. The iPhone was just a start. Don't think AMD won't be far behind if Intel does it.

 

[madtownidiot]

Hope not. the only machine I plan to keep for more than the next few months is the one in my specs

 

[Darician]

As an Intel stalwart and having been one for over 10 years, if they do this on all their CPUs, then I jump ship to AMD.

 

[marsmimar]

If anybody tries to restrict what software can or cannot be used, I predict even more hacks to circumvent those restrictions.

Necessity, who is the mother of invention.
Plato
Greek author & philosopher in Athens (427 BC - 347 BC)

 

[MattRainier]

I've always preferred AMD, this would just reaffirm my belief that they are the better of the two.

 

[Layback Bear]

I don't think it would bother my computing one way or the other.

 

[madtownidiot]

It boils down to the simple concept of ownership and personal property. Once you have purchased something, no one else has the right to dictate how you use it. Any terms and conditions, laws, contracts, etc that dictate otherwise are an infringement on those rights.

 

[Win7User512]

It boils down to the simple concept of ownership and personal property. Once you have purchased something, no one else has the right to dictate how you use it. Any terms and conditions, laws, contracts, etc that dictate otherwise are an infringement on those rights.

Ah, but Microsoft (for example) would say that you lease Windows--you don't actually own a copy; If their license agreement is still the same.

 

[madtownidiot]

Exactly but we have to live with it.. but how's this for an example.. What if DMCA had existed in the 1800s and a company secured a patent on steam powered reciprocating engines? Applying similar terms to that technology (you're not allowed to modify windows in any way.. even if you find a way to make it work better) gasoline engines would have never been invented and we'd still be breathing coal fumes every time we wanted to travel. Or if auto manufacturers sold cars with usage rights.. auto racing would not exist as a sport because it would be illegal to install a bigger engine or wider tires..

 

[Skulblaka]

Absolutely not, I wouldn't buy any piece of hardware from them. I despise the moron who came up with this foolish idea.
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[burtie]

Thats just crazy...it would kill computing as we know it. Why on earth would they even think of something so stupid?

 

[madtownidiot]

Thats just crazy...it would kill computing as we know it. Why on earth would they even think of something so stupid?

Profits.. it would make owning a computer a lot more expensive

 

[Tepid]

As an Intel stalwart and having been one for over 10 years, if they do this on all their CPUs, then I jump ship to AMD.

Ditto, without question or hesitation. I will trash every Intel based PC I own and go buy AMD.

If Intel does something like this?

Immediately go and buy AMD stock.
You will make money.

 

[FerchogtX]

Ja... fortunately, I always use AMD products... so I´m secure, now ntel can see their sells going down...

 

[Tepid]

Why only x86 though?

As a test bed.

Remember, RFIDs started in the pet world with great vigor. Now they are in every new Passport since 2007. Where, exactly, do you think they are going next? And the US is not the only one.

RFID - pronounced like it is spelled. r fid

New World Order Slogan that is not far away.

"Keep your child safe and secure. RFID your kid"
"Do it for the children"

Or in the secret world,,,, "Federated Remote Finder Identification Device"
We always know where you are.

Woops,, Too late, you own and use a Cell Phone.

 

[Layback Bear]

I like most don't mind and company doing some things like this as long as I can turn the option on or off. Kind of like setting you firewall like you want it.

 

[Everlong]

I think people are just jumping to conclusions too soon. If you watch the actual IDF video where he explains this. It's pretty much like how WHQL works with drivers on Windows, and how they need to be signed to install on x64.

 

[F1FAN]

they cant decide if you have AMD. Kinda another reason why i don't like Intel. Just stick to making CPU's please.