C|Net reports that the next version of Windows will have a “black box” that will record data and send it back to Redmond in the event of system crash.
SEATTLE–In a move that could rankle privacy advocates, Microsoft said Monday that it is adding the PC equivalent of a flight data recorder to the next version of Windows, in an effort to better understand and prevent computer crashes.
The tool will build on the existing Watson error-reporting tool in Windows but will provide Microsoft with much deeper information, including what programs were running at the time of the error and even the contents of documents that were being created.
Definition: Any program that runs in the background collecting data about my PC, its applications, data, files, or user inputs is called .
All of these “convenience” features, allowing a MS CSR have remote access to your computer, sending data to Microsoft when my system crashes. All this is doing is adding complexity to an already complex system and juicy target for crackers to exploit. (Remember complexity is where crackers live.) The whole idea behind cracking is find the weakness that is not obvious. Given the “treasure trove” of information a cracker could get if he where successful is enough incentive for them to start working on an exploit as soon as he can get his hands on some code.
