RSSGovernments Given Access to Windows Source
By Nate Mook | Published January 15, 2003, 10:05 PM
In response to increasing demand for open source software by countries around the world due to security and licensing concerns, Microsoft announced a new initiative to open the underlying Windows code to international governments.
The Government Security Program will provide governments controlled access to the source code for Windows 2000, XP, CE and Windows Server 2003 in order to assess the security of Microsoft software.
"In talking with government customers, we've been told this is a key capability that they need and we responded," said Microsoft's CTO and senior vice president for advanced strategies and policy, Craig Mundie. "In addition to source code access we are providing technical documentation, methods for troubleshooting, access to cryptographic tools subject to export controls, and access to Microsoft expert support technicians who can collaborate with governments on how they use this source code access."
Microsoft has signed deals with ten countries and organizations thus far, including NATO and Russia. The GSP is a no-fee program open to about 60 countries, double the number eligible for the company's Shared Source Initiative, Microsoft says. Participants will communicate with Microsoft security professionals and have the opportunity to visit Redmond and review the Windows development process.
Now castro can have his own branded version of Commie Windows
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|seems like a good plan to me...
1) release source code to a select group
2) source code get's leaked (oops)
3) programmers everywhere fix windows problems and add new features...
4) rogue builds of windows xp appear
4) microsoft downloads them
5) yay, microsoft fixes bugs!
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|I am glad to see that sometimes you people crawl out from under your rocks. Microsoft has always made its source code available to Universities and for research programs.
Also, the Windows NT 4.0 source code was made available so that it could get the C2 certification.
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|just being funny... mr. serious
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|Oh YES baby now the EXPLOITS can REAAAAAAALY start flowin'!!!!!
Btw this is actually a good move for MS. Even though it is 101% FACT that as soon as the source is realeased to WHOEVER their gonna release it to (I don't care if it's Jesus Christ) it will immediately begin to get leaked in mass. This means a FLOOD of a new-breed of catastropic exploitable holes, HOWEVER, as a result of this in the long run it will cause the MS Windows OS to FINALLY AFTER HUNDREDS OF YEARS (ok not hundres) to begin to stabilize itself security wize.
But in the meantime... An' Owning I will go!
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|If this gets leaked out this will mean hell. Granted, although when "Longhorn" (which already was leaked) comes out many people will upgrade, some will stick with XP or 2000 due to money reasons. Their security is now at risk. I am all for windows being open source, but when your mom tells you "don't look at the sun" of course you do, your dying to. Since they are trying to release this in a sneaky manner it makes the "black-hats" angry, they will lash out on this just because it was released not to the public, but to the government. ouch.
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|This latest release by Microsoft is now sure the end of the road for them in regards to them getting there own way. I think this could damage MS because whilst the Source code is available to only selected countries, some of those couintries include (according to MS) the kings of Piracy:
Russia,
Far East
MS might as well just cut the middle man and enable it as a download packet from there website, as one the pirates and other crooks get the source code I beleive we may well be in for a "hell of a time" with regards to new trojan, virus and DDos attacks now the source is known..
Bad move Microsoft
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