“If Monday’s news was bad, Saturday’s was almost unbelievable.
Security specialists revealed that almost every computer in the
world that uses the Microsoft Windows operating system has a secret
program built into it that can be controlled by the US intelligence
agency, NSA.”
“The insecurity of Hotmail was an accident. But the loophole
that appears to let US intelligence agents run secret programs in
any Windows-based personal computer is a deliberate act. As news of
the loophole spread, groups concerned with Internet privacy reacted
with anger and astonishment.”
“‘For non-American IT managers relying on Windows NT to
operate highly secure data centres, this find is worrying,’ he
added. ‘It’s making it easier for the US Government to access your
computer.'”
“With an attitude like that, it’s no wonder that the computer
underground hates Microsoft like nothing else on earth. It’s not
just because Microsoft boss Bill Gates is the richest man in
history, with a wealth beyond many states. It’s because Microsoft’s
virtual monopoly has foisted most of the world with an operating
system that is inherently insecure, unreliable, and easily open to
serious abuse.”