Windows 8 kill code

[Modelworks]

MS needs to learn to keep their paws off what is on my pc. Win8 will contain the ability for MS to delete code from a users pc , currently they are tying this to the windows8 app store but I can see this becoming a huge problem . If someone manages to gain access to the process controlling this, servers are hacked all the time, then they can remotely delete code or data and a user isn't going to have an easy time stopping them. When will companies learn to keep their hands to themselves, we don't want them involved with everything we do.


http://vigilantcitizen.com/latestnews/windows-8-will-have-a-kill-switch/

With the rollout of the Windows 8 operating system expected later this year, millions of desktop and laptop PCs will get kill switches for the first time. Microsoft (MSFT) hasn’t spoken publicly about its reasons for including this capability in Windows 8 beyond a cryptic warning that it might be compelled to use it for legal or security reasons. The feature was publicized in a widely cited Computerworld article in December when Microsoft posted the terms of use for its new application store, a feature in Windows 8 that will allow users to download software from a Microsoft-controlled portal. Windows smartphones, like those of its competitors, have included kill switches for several years, though software deletion “is a last resort, and it’s uncommon,” says Todd Biggs, director of product management for Windows Phone Marketplace.

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. Still, the kill switch is a tool that could help Microsoft prevent mass malware infections. “For most users, the ability to remotely remove apps is a good thing,” says Charlie Miller, a researcher with the security company Accuvant.

 

[lxskllr]

Yea, that's unacceptable. I've been getting more radical in my views on software over the last year or so. I'm not quite up to RMS, but I'm getting there. This kind of nonsense drives the importance of libre software home.

 

[Phynaz]

It's for the app store. All app stores have this capability, Apple, Amazon, etc.

 

[lxskllr]

It's for the app store. All app stores have this capability, Apple, Amazon, etc.

and that's unacceptable. That means a company is controlling the computer, not the individual. Metro apps don't get a special waiver because they're Metro. It's wrong to remotely delete software of any kind against the wishes of the user.

 

[dagamer34]

Complain when Microsoft actually uses it, not for having the functionality in there. Should malicious software come around and Microsoft have no option to stop it, that would look far worse.

 

[dagamer34]

and that's unacceptable. That means a company is controlling the computer, not the individual. Metro apps don't get a special waiver because they're Metro. It's wrong to remotely delete software of any kind against the wishes of the user.

Please cite an example where Apple has not just used, but abused their kill switch. Then we can talk. Until then, you are dealing with hypotheticals not grounded in reality that are easily swayed by sensationalism.

 

[lxskllr]

Please cite an example where Apple has not just used, but abused their kill switch. Then we can talk. Until then, you are dealing with hypotheticals not grounded in reality that are easily swayed by sensationalism.

It isn't sensationalism. If a company controls your computer, it means you don't. It's wrong, and whether they have, or have not removed content isn't meaningful. It's wrong for them to have the power to do so.

 

[pcgeek11]

I agree. Keep your hands off my computer. Period. I have for years ran Windows and Linux. I find myself leaning more and more to Linux on a daily basis.

 

[Nothinman]

Please cite an example where Apple has not just used, but abused their kill switch. Then we can talk. Until then, you are dealing with hypotheticals not grounded in reality that are easily swayed by sensationalism.

That's not the point. The point is that they shouldn't have that ability with a device that I own. Just look at the ironic Amazon incident of 1984 disappearing from people's Kindles. Apple started this with iOS because people don't view their phone, tablet or MP3 player the same as a PC so no one really cared about the additional restrictions and lost rights. But now Apple and MS are trying to move those restrictions onto full PCs and everyone is supposed to sit idly by and take it? And if Apple and MS' app screening is so great why do they even need it? We've been running PCs without anyone's ability to uninstall apps behind our back for years and and amazingly society hasn't imploded, why do we need it now?

 

[Modelworks]

Complain when Microsoft actually uses it, not for having the functionality in there. Should malicious software come around and Microsoft have no option to stop it, that would look far worse.

What will you do when the malicious software makes use of the MS code to delete your files ? Have it delete itself ?

 

[Brovane]

As Operating systems move forward and line between OS for phones, tablets and PC's blurs this bound to happen. Apple and Google already have this capability and it should come as no surprise that with MS moving into this realm they would do the same thing.

http://www.fiercedeveloper.com/story/google-activates-android-market-app-kill-switch/2010-06-28

Here is a story of Google activating the kill switch.

 

[blurredvision]

What will you do when the malicious software makes use of the MS code to delete your files ? Have it delete itself ?

The kill switch only applies to app purchases in the app store. Are you trying to say you'd think it also has access to your entire computer? I seriously doubt it. I know your post is good for sensationalism, but maybe provide your actual thoughts on this instead of making up a worst-case scenario, whether it's actually possible or not.

 

[Muyoso]

The kill switch only applies to app purchases in the app store. Are you trying to say you'd think it also has access to your entire computer? I seriously doubt it. I know your post is good for sensationalism, but maybe provide your actual thoughts on this instead of making up a worst-case scenario, whether it's actually possible or not.

Why wouldn't it? What good is the kill switch if all an app has to do is replicate itself in a different directory or install something outside of the app store purview and then all MS can do in response is delete the original malicious app?

 

[Brovane]

Why wouldn't it? What good is the kill switch if all an app has to do is replicate itself in a different directory or install something outside of the app store purview and then all MS can do in response is delete the original malicious app?

Apparently Google found it useful to activate the kill switch on apps before. Both Apple and Google have kill switches for their mobile platforms. I would hazard to guess MS thought it prudent to follow the same course.

 

[blurredvision]

Why wouldn't it? What good is the kill switch if all an app has to do is replicate itself in a different directory or install something outside of the app store purview and then all MS can do in response is delete the original malicious app?

If you assume the kill switch is going to search your computer for the malicious app and delete it, then you have yourself a virus scanner pretty much. I don't understand why you or anyone else thinks Microsoft is just going to start scanning people's computers and delete legitimate files.

 

[pcgeek11]

If you assume the kill switch is going to search your computer for the malicious app and delete it, then you have yourself a virus scanner pretty much. I don't understand why you or anyone else thinks Microsoft is just going to start scanning people's computers and delete legitimate files.

Point missed. It isn't the fact if they will or not. They should Not have the ability to do it.

 

[irishScott]

Apparently Google found it useful to activate the kill switch on apps before. Both Apple and Google have kill switches for their mobile platforms. I would hazard to guess MS thought it prudent to follow the same course.

From what I've seen of Windows 8, MS has its head up its ass. Just because it works in the mobile market doesn't mean it will work on a desktop.

All Windows 8 brings me is a bunch of crap I don't need or want, most of it as superficial as putting 6 inches of additional frosting on a cake. I'll stick with Windows 7 until further notice.

 

[blurredvision]

Point missed. It isn't the fact if they will or not. They should Not have the ability to do it.

Point not missed. It's an easy way for them remove malicious software from their store. You're making much ado about nothing.

 

[Anteaus]

It sounds bad, but in actuallity they are doing the same thing that Apple, Andriod and pretty much every digital shop has done. Rendered software inactive that either:

A) you didn't pay for
B) you paid for but blantantly violated license terms
C) limited time license expired

MS is at least admitting to it. People are suddenly squirming at how companies are enforcing their software licenses, but I'd like to remind everyone that had the technologies existed 10 years ago they would have been doing it then to.

It only applies to software directly connected with their App store. Just don't buy any software through there and you'll be fine. If that isn't an option then don't use Windows. If not using Windows is not an option then stop complaining and just suck it up. This type of enforcement is not only going to become the mainstay of software distribution, at some point it will be the only way of aquiring commercial software and short of giving up all of our electronic devices, I don't think there is anything we can do other than just getting use to it.

All I can hope is that congress passes some sort of Digital Software Bill of Rights of sorts to protect us from excessive tendencies by software providers. I'm willing to sign a petition if someone has one.

 

[Brovane]

From what I've seen of Windows 8, MS has its head up its ass. Just because it works in the mobile market doesn't mean it will work on a desktop.

All Windows 8 brings me is a bunch of crap I don't need or want, most of it as superficial as putting 6 inches of additional frosting on a cake. I'll stick with Windows 7 until further notice.

The entire point is that this operating system will be more like a mobile app. Right now I run Android on my phone and Tablet. Both machines run fairly identically, just the tablet has a bigger screen. MS is making a OS that will run on both a tablet and Desktop PC easily. MS wants to get into the tablet market because it is exploding. I cannot blame them for wanting to get into the market. I am running Windows 8 in a VM right now and all things considered it isn't half bad. I will be interested to see how it goes once it moves out of better into a release candidate.

 

[Nothinman]

Point not missed. It's an easy way for them remove malicious software from their store. You're making much ado about nothing.

They shouldn't have that power, period. If it's malicious then port MSE to Metro and let it detect and remove them at my discretion and with my approval.

It sounds bad, but in actuallity they are doing the same thing that Apple, Andriod and pretty much every digital shop has done. Rendered software inactive that either:

That doesn't mean it's ok and should be allowed. Given the choice, I wouldn't let Apple or Google do that either. Although I distrust MS and Apple boatloads more than Google.

MS is at least admitting to it. People are suddenly squirming at how companies are enforcing their software licenses, but I'd like to remind everyone that had the technologies existed 10 years ago they would have been doing it then to.

This isn't MS enforcing a license, it's them controlling what I can and can't run on my device. If it were just them using activation to control licensing of their own products then I don't think anyone would have even blinked. But it's not, it's them potentially removing software that they didn't write from a device they don't own without the permission of the owner.

It only applies to software directly connected with their App store. Just don't buy any software through there and you'll be fine.

For now.

If not using Windows is not an option then stop complaining and just suck it up.

No, that's not how it works. When companies do something that we don't like, it's our job to let them know. Telling someone to just roll over and quietly take is probably the worst f'ing advice ever. MS' primary goal is to make money and in order to do that they need to make a product that people like and want. They're in the unique position of having a monopoly of the PC market, but that doesn't mean they can do whatever they want with no repercussions.

This type of enforcement is not only going to become the mainstay of software distribution, at some point it will be the only way of aquiring commercial software and short of giving up all of our electronic devices, I don't think there is anything we can do other than just getting use to it.

Only if we let it happen that way. Just look at how the SOPA and PIPA protests had a real affect and effectively killed those bills. That's not to say the war is over, but that battle was a pretty big win.

All I can hope is that congress passes some sort of Digital Software Bill of Rights of sorts to protect us from excessive tendencies by software providers. I'm willing to sign a petition if someone has one.

That's funny given your last statement. Why bother signing or doing anything when you're telling everyone else to "stop complaining and just suck it up?" Why not take it a step further and start the petition yourself?

 

[ViRGE]

This isn't MS enforcing a license, it's them controlling what I can and can't run on my device. If it were just them using activation to control licensing of their own products then I don't think anyone would have even blinked. But it's not, it's them potentially removing software that they didn't write from a device they don't own without the permission of the owner.

Of course you're fundamentally right. At the same time however I'm finding that I can't muster enough energy to oppose Windows having a kill switch; it's for use against malicious software and I trust MS to use it correctly just as much as I do Apple.

 

[irishScott]

The entire point is that this operating system will be more like a mobile app. Right now I run Android on my phone and Tablet. Both machines run fairly identically, just the tablet has a bigger screen. MS is making a OS that will run on both a tablet and Desktop PC easily. MS wants to get into the tablet market because it is exploding. I cannot blame them for wanting to get into the market. I am running Windows 8 in a VM right now and all things considered it isn't half bad. I will be interested to see how it goes once it moves out of better into a release candidate.

Yes and for tablets, I'm sure it's great. For Desktops, it's just overcomplicated bloatware IMO.

 

[Nothinman]

Of course you're fundamentally right. At the same time however I'm finding that I can't muster enough energy to oppose Windows having a kill switch; it's for use against malicious software and I trust MS to use it correctly just as much as I do Apple.

I trust MS more than Apple, mostly because they're under a more powerful microscope, but that's not saying much since I have a borderline irrational hatred for all things Apple. And there's the point that no one really gives a shit about OS X, that's the only reason I can figure why we haven't seen articles freaking about it there too if indeed Apple is applying a similar backdoor to the OS X App Store.

 

[Brovane]

Yes and for tablets, I'm sure it's great. For Desktops, it's just overcomplicated bloatware IMO.

However you can use a more Windows 7 like interface if you have a pure Desktop. I also would think that if you had both a tablet and desktop PC running Windows 8 that you would be more comfortable with the new interface. Also as you switch back and forth between the two you would feel more comfortable between the hardware types. Do you currently use a tablet? If so what type? How much time have you spent playing around with the windows 8 interface?