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IP: re Detecting Magic Lantern?
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2001 16:15:18 -0500
Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2001 14:06:47 -0700 To: David Farber <dave () farber net> From: Brett Glass <brett () lariat org> Subject: Re: IP: Detecting Magic Lantern? At 01:31 PM 11/24/2001, David Farber wrote:At 01:52 PM 11/23/2001, Henry E. Schaffer wrote: >"At least one antivirus software company, McAfee Corp., contaced the FBI >on Wednesday to ensure its software wouldn't inadvertently detect the >bureau's snooping software and alert a criminal subject." > >http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1436-2001Nov22.htmlI have just removed all Network Associates products from my workstations and network servers, and will no longer recommend them to my clients or readers. I have taken this position because Network Associates, by rigging its products not to detect tampering by specific parties of its choosing, has betrayed users' trust and started a descent down a perilous, slippery slope. Will the company next change its PGP ("Pretty Good Privacy") software so that it contains back doors as well? Will its "Sniffer" products be configured to ignore certain types of attacks and allow selected parties onto customers' networks undetected, possibly hiding illegal searches by freewheeling law enforcement personnel? Will its "Magic Solutions" products, which allow remote control and maintenance of user workstations, become a vector for the installation of spying software by government snoops? Just as disturbing as the company's breach of trust with its customers is the prospect that others will exploit the back doors installed for the benefit of government agencies. Network Associates has shown that it is willing to compromise its integrity by selling intentionally faulty products. For this reason, it is no longer appropriate or wise for those concerned about the security of their networks, systems, or confidential data to use them. --Brett Glass
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