TAXI.com

" . . . software can be written that will allow only authorized users to open files containing valuable information. If an unauthorized person accesses the information, a range of actions might then occur. For example, the file could be rendered inaccessible and the unauthorized user’s computer could be locked down, with instructions on how to contact law enforcement to get the password needed to unlock the account . . . Additional measures go further, including photographing the hacker using his own system’s camera, implanting malware in the hacker’s network, or even physically disabling or destroying the hacker’s own computer or network . . . "


http://boingboing.net/2013/05/26/us-ent ... -to-c.html

Total rubbish.

No wise company would purposely add malware to someone's computer. That would open up so many lawsuits.

Also, what law enforcement agency would want to deal with unlocking computers?

Deactivating the file would be the best solution. Anything more than that is criminal.

DesireInspires wrote:Total rubbish.

No wise company would purposely add malware to someone's computer. That would open up so many lawsuits.

Also, what law enforcement agency would want to deal with unlocking computers?

Deactivating the file would be the best solution. Anything more than that is criminal.

well put!

I don't want to stir the pot but this technology will be used in the new iOS7 to lock down a stolen iPhone. I doubt Apple will try to take a picture of the unsuspecting thief but it is certainly easy to implement from a technology standpoint. There are instances when this sort of 'copyright insanity' can be helpful.

CabDriver wrote:I don't want to stir the pot but this technology will be used in the new iOS7 to lock down a stolen iPhone. I doubt Apple will try to take a picture of the unsuspecting thief but it is certainly easy to implement from a technology standpoint. There are instances when this sort of 'copyright insanity' can be helpful.

not to discount this as I haven't heard or read up on what's new in iOS7 but.....

i've had an iPhone for about 4 yrs now and when i first got it up to now, there was not only a passcode lock, but you could turn on an option that would wipe the phone clean after 10 incorrect tries at the passcode.

now I guess the logical extension of this is to combine this with the iCloud Find my phone app. But I think even if your phone can't be recovered, you could go to your service provider and they could lock the phone from their end. I would be very surprised it they couldn't. sure new number blah blah blah, new contract etc.

still a far cry from Malware etc.....

andygabrys wrote:

DesireInspires wrote:Total rubbish.

No wise company would purposely add malware to someone's computer. That would open up so many lawsuits.

Also, what law enforcement agency would want to deal with unlocking computers?

Deactivating the file would be the best solution. Anything more than that is criminal.

well put!

Before the NSA revelations I might have thought the same thing. The wise companies apparently turn it over to the government to deal with. Criminal as in violating the fourth amendment? I believe that is currently being debated.

andygabrys wrote:still a far cry from Malware etc.....

mal·ware (Noun) : Software that is intended to damage or disable computers and computer systems.

The new lock function of iOS7 is the quintessential example of 'malware'. It was designed to make the actual theft of the iPhone less desirable. The locked iPhone will become completely unusable without an option to install a fresh iOS on it. The feature was designed to protect iPhone users from ruthless thugs who have seriously hurt or even killed their victims to steal their iPhones.

. . . software can be written that will allow only authorized users to open files containing valuable information. If an unauthorized person accesses the information, a range of actions might then occur. For example, the file could be rendered inaccessible and the unauthorized user’s computer could be locked down, with instructions on how to contact law enforcement to get the password needed to unlock the account . . . Additional measures go further, including photographing the hacker using his own system’s camera, implanting malware in the hacker’s network, or even physically disabling or destroying the hacker’s own computer or network . . . "
I am at a loss as to why this would be a negative. What? A hacker has rights to my computer? And there are programs that would not only deny him that right, but toast his computer? Sounds real sweet to me. As a matter of fact, I would love to toast the computer of every free spirit out there who downloads a song without paying for it. Ott