Microsoft has now announced that it will introduce hardware-linked security in Windows XP Service Pack 2 called execution protection (NX). This feature is currently supported in both AMD's K8 32/64-bit and Intel Itanium 64-bit processor families. The purpose of the feature is to protect application data from execution code and allow only memory marked as execution code to be run.

As with the previous report on NGSCB, Microsoft claims that this has nothing to do with DRM and will be only used to prevent running code from being attacked or modified by worms and viruses. While DRM may not be in the picture here, it looks like Microsoft is making a gradual approach into tying DRM into the hardware. Microsoft has announced that some applications will be broken on XP-SP2 if they are run on an NX compatible CPU. Examples include applications that perform just-in-time (JIT) code generation such as legacy debuggers.

Complete Story

I'd like everybody to head over to downloads.com and download a free virus protection program.

Problem solved, and without M$ doing anything.

Can anybody give me a link to a site where I could either e-mail Micro$oft telling them to leave DRM now or a petition saying the same?

Tasadar24 all of microsofts consumer email addresses and phone numbers don't go to microsoft, rather to third party call centers who handle all of Microsofts business. They don't give out their company and/or employee phone numbers to consumers. there is a public switchboard number that goes directly to Redmond but that's the only one I know. it's 425-882-8080. I know this because I used to work technical support and customer service for MSN internet access. The website hasn't been updated but this may help explain www.geocities.com/msncallcenters
it'll give you an idea how microsoft does business

www.geocities.com/msncallcenters

darn it's not putting the whole URL in. add a
/msncallcenters
to the end of the geocities link

Will all computers bought in stores from now on have SP2? Because I might want to buy separate pieces and install Linux. I hope no one alters their hardware for quite a while. I need 2 new 120GB Dell computers before they do that. Otherwise, I won't ever buy a computer from anyone. At least with the hardware the same, I can change the software to my preference. DON'T INVADE MY PRIVACY!

One of our customers told us yesterday that in order to use the new napster, he had to have XP installed. My immediate thought was that this was because of the DRM in the updates to XP.

From a post in September:

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I check frequently for Windows XP updates, but turned off the automatic feature that downloads and installs them in the background.

This prevents features that I do not want, or need, from being installed, such as the annoying .NET feature, which keeps bringing up an information balloon in the lower right corner of the screen. I like to choose how I go on-line, myself, and not let Microsoft dictate how to do it.

Also, when you install the new Media Player, the defaults are to communicate information on what you are playing back to various fuzzily described sources. I used to deselect all of these options, but finally just stopped downloading this player on new computers.


The information below is directly from Microsoft’s website, describing the details of one of their updates, which was released on 9-17-03. This update installs Windows [D]RM on your PC.
If I had had the auto install feature set, it would have modified my PC. It is nobody’s business what I listen to.




Additional Information
Windows Rights Management Client Privacy Statement

Microsoft is committed to protecting your privacy. This privacy statement explains data collection and use practices of the Windows Rights Management software; it does not apply to any other online or offline Microsoft sites, products or services. By using this software you are consenting to the information collection and use practices described in this privacy statement.

This software contains components that use certain Internet-based services that enable you to install and use system components of the platform necessary to enable certain features of the software, during a process called machine activation. During machine activation, your computer will be automatically connected via the Internet or by your entity’s proxy server in order to create and save on your computer a system component that is associated with your hardware. The system component is used by the software to allow you to access content that has been protected by the rights-enabled permission features of the software.

None of the information collected or generated as part of machine activation is personally identifiable. Microsoft will not retain any information collected during the activation process, except on a temporary basis where necessary to diagnose and resolve a problem with the Windows Rights Management service. Microsoft does not share any of the information collected during the activation process outside Microsoft.

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The Kid

http://www.linux.org i can't think of a better reason to switch o/s's

If somebody makes it so I can play my computer games on Linux, then I'll switch...

NX itsself isn't evil. Its actually a fairly good idea: A processor which refuses to execute code not eximpcitly marked as code, thus making many popular exploit types, includeing the ever-popular buffer overflow, impossible. But this is Microsoft here, they have stated their plans to incorporate security and DRM in hardware, and have a long history of anticompetative practices and propritary technology. I think (havn't confirmed) NX would run perfectly well under linux as well, if the appropriate code was added to the kernel. The components MS plans on introduceing over the next few years might not through. Intel wont indroduce any technologies which deliberately block linux, at least not yet, because they wouldn't want to lose the linux-server market.

There is a real problem with DRM.
The gov wants it. Micro$oft wants it.
RIAA wants it.
MPAA wants it.
BSA (Business Software Alliance) wants it, and DELL, Gateway, and HP will be more than happy to do what the big boys want...UNLESS....
I see our only hope is to, as a group of consumers, is to write Michael Dell at DELL, Inc. in Round Rock TX, and
Ted Waitt, of Gateway in South Dakota,
or whoever is the CEO of the company you buy your boxes and/or components from, and let them know, you are takng a strong stand against using any software or hardware that has DRM or DRM like measures.

If ENOUGH people let them know this is a strong movement, they MAY, and I stress MAY, second think this.

I would also write Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates.

Just my opinion, because, if we do not act with great strength and quickness, trusted computed and DRM will be everywhere.

goldenpi, one of the problems I see arising possibly from sp2 is not being able to program for yourself. another one is how do they verify code? Would it be with certificates?

What? You'd rather program something yourself than pay M$ outrageous fees for software? How anti-corp of you, tasadar. Knowing the way microsoft does things, this new "feature" would probably keep OpenOffice and Mozilla from running, so no thanks, Bill. Stuff like this always reminds me why I disable auto-updates and don't even let WMP or IE past my firewall. Of course, there are non-MS (i.e., better) alternatives for the time being, so it's not like I use those things anyway.

The main thing that would keep me from going completely Linux is the gaming thing as well. I understand Wine is pretty good with some games, but it's too hit-and-miss to depend on it for everything. Hopefully Wine or Wine-like solutions will get better in the not-too-distant future. Everytime i read about M$'s deplorable business practices and blatant lock-in attempts it just makes me wanna boot into my Linux installation and play around there.

devious thought, what if M$ had SP2 installed on they're systems? They wouldn't be able to make patches and stuff

Hey that might be true, hmm. That would suck for them, and showes they only sell us the crap, and keep the good stuff for themselves, gready bastards.

http://www.orbidcorp.com

Working closely with Microsoft to bring us a safer and more secure tomorrow.

somehow a break HTML () got into the link for ORBID Corp.

Why do people use XP to begin with? Nothing but bloated activation-required spyware. Win 2000 still does it all, and much faster.