Analysis on Secure Boot / Restricted Boot

[Matthias Kirschner]

I just published an analysis on "Secure Boot":
https://fsfe.org/campaigns/generalpurposecomputing/secure-boot-analysis.en.html

FSFE's goal is to ensure that the owners of IT devices are always in
full and sole control of them. This fundamental principle is recently
being challenged.

With a function called "Secure Boot", which will be deployed in
computers starting 2012, manufacturers of IT hardware and software
components are striving to get into a position where they permanently
control the IT devices they produce. Hence such devices will be
"secure" from the manufacturer's perspective, but not necessarily from
the owner's point of view: The owner can be treated as an adversary.
By preventing uses of the device which the manufacturer does not
intend, they can control and limit what a general purpose IT machine
(e.g. a PC, laptop, netbook) may be used for. In case of IT devices
with internet access, they can alter these usage restrictions at any
time without even informing the device owner. As a result, IT
manufacturers at their will can take away common rights owners of
products usually receive.

[...]

Best Regards,
Matthias

[Sam Liddicott]

Hmmmm....

"FSFE demands that before purchasing a device, buyers must be informed
concisely about the technical measures implemented in this device, as well
as the specific usage restrictions and their consequences for the owner."
=> "Not Linux Compatible"

I fear! It's one way to defend your market share when all other measures
fail! Surely it is the beginning of the end for MS, how long can this
strategy help them?

Maybe FSF or SFC will strike a similar deal and be the key-signing manager
that Fedora didn't want to be. But cutting their own groove for captivity,
MS may turn out to legitimise the other groove for freedom.

Sam

Post by Matthias Kirschner
https://fsfe.org/campaigns/generalpurposecomputing/secure-boot-analysis.en.html
FSFE's goal is to ensure that the owners of IT devices are always in
full and sole control of them. This fundamental principle is recently
being challenged.
With a function called "Secure Boot", which will be deployed in
computers starting 2012, manufacturers of IT hardware and software
components are striving to get into a position where they permanently
control the IT devices they produce. Hence such devices will be
"secure" from the manufacturer's perspective, but not necessarily from
the owner's point of view: The owner can be treated as an adversary.
By preventing uses of the device which the manufacturer does not
intend, they can control and limit what a general purpose IT machine
(e.g. a PC, laptop, netbook) may be used for. In case of IT devices
with internet access, they can alter these usage restrictions at any
time without even informing the device owner. As a result, IT
manufacturers at their will can take away common rights owners of
products usually receive.
[...]
Best Regards,
Matthias
--
Matthias Kirschner - FSFE - Fellowship Coordinator, German Coordinator
FSFE, Linienstr. 141, 10115 Berlin, t [phone] [phone]
Free Software is important to you? Join today! (fsfe.org/join)
Weblog (blogs.fsfe.org/mk) - Contact (fsfe.org/about/kirschner)
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