> The suggestion piqued the imaginations of conspiracy theorists, but doesn't have a shred of evidence to support it... That's still no evidence that Microsoft could be or has been infiltrated by spies from the U.S. or from other countries.
"Researcher: Aliens may have infiltrated Microsoft to eat your souls" would've been equally accurate.
A few months ago, I would have told you that there is no way that anything like this is possible at MSFT - especially the crypto world at Microsoft where everything is extra locked down (it is kept separate from the rest of Windows).
However, after Flame, I'm not sure what is possible and what isn't. If somebody can figure out a way to sign binaries as Microsoft using hitherto unknown crypto research, you have to wonder what else they're capable of.
Just to point out, infiltrations don't have to happen in a certain order. i.e. ex-NSA employee, goes job hunting at Microsoft. Infiltrations like this can happen when NSA, for example, approaches, an existing MS employee and offers money or other rewards in return for cooperation.
If this story is true that would be the easiest and fastest way. It always helps to first find someone who has done something illegal or shameful in their past. Then in addition to a reward there could be a veiled threat of exposure to ensure loyalty and co-operation.
Hate to talk about tin-foil crap like this, but unfortunately I don't think I would be too surprised if this was true.
I agree with your top point, and would also hazard a guess that these agencies hire lots of ex MSFT people as well. Also, when you are the federal government, you can always "suggest" Microsoft do certain things, and give them an offer too good to refuse.
I think the biggest thought this article left out is that I wouldn't be surprised at all if microsoft and the NSA were in bed together, and in a perfectly "legal" manner, with both parties full aware. And working together. I'd bet microsoft even does a little consulting/contracting work for them.
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[ 3.6 ms ] story [ 18.2 ms ] thread"Researcher: Aliens may have infiltrated Microsoft to eat your souls" would've been equally accurate.
However, after Flame, I'm not sure what is possible and what isn't. If somebody can figure out a way to sign binaries as Microsoft using hitherto unknown crypto research, you have to wonder what else they're capable of.
If this story is true that would be the easiest and fastest way. It always helps to first find someone who has done something illegal or shameful in their past. Then in addition to a reward there could be a veiled threat of exposure to ensure loyalty and co-operation.
Hate to talk about tin-foil crap like this, but unfortunately I don't think I would be too surprised if this was true.
I think the biggest thought this article left out is that I wouldn't be surprised at all if microsoft and the NSA were in bed together, and in a perfectly "legal" manner, with both parties full aware. And working together. I'd bet microsoft even does a little consulting/contracting work for them.