SAN FRANCISCO--At the USENIX Security Conference held here recently, Microsoft developers touted the company's upcoming Palladium architecture as technology that would enhance privacy, stymie piracy and increase a corporation's control over its computers. Others, however, see a more nefarious role for the security software.
Instead of just keeping hackers out, critics say programs like Palladium could also block computer users from certain data. For example, the technology could be used as a policing mechanism that bars people from material stored on their own computers if they have not met licensing and other requirements.
The perception is that the security protects content on the user's PC from third parties," said a security consultant who goes by the moniker of Lucky Green. "That's wrong."
The conflict highlights a growing debate over "trusted computers"--machines equipped with the technology to wall off data, secure communications and verify the characteristics of their system. Although military and intelligence agencies have used such systems, the concept has been met with opposition in mainstream consumer markets.
The reason: The masses don't necessarily trust the companies developing "trusted computing" technology.
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News source: ZDNet
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