Well, this is Frikken depressing...

[danbeaver]

Or, Cerf the Web for your porn and pedophilia pictures using an old, Retro computer; transact your search for explosives, ricin, and anthrax through Tor after you log on to someone else's network with a disposable drive, SD card, or USB thumb drive.

There are many options:)

[danbeaver]

Can I borrow your computer for a day or 2?  

So, privacy is only desirable to a criminal?

No, the Feds only give a sh-t about criminal activity; those feeling threatened by the thought of lost privacy can do all of the above I mentioned sans the criminal stuff.  You can run Linux from a cheap thumb drive logged into a public network.

However, those with paranoia and a pervasive, long-standing suspiciousness and generalized mistrust of others who are hypersensitive, easily feel slighted, and habitually relate to the world by vigilant scanning of the environment for clues or suggestions that may validate their fears or biases, and those who think they are in danger and look for signs and threats of that danger, potentially not appreciating other evidence, are the ones at most risk (of having Mel Gibson star in a movie about them).  "Be Afraid, very afraid."

[danbeaver]

Yes,  I'm not a fan of Mel Gibson.

[danbeaver]

Actually a good point!  While I would expect the firmware infects Windows X86, they would have to write multiple versions for the different systems out there.  I could be done, but at a cost of size and detection.

[danbeaver]

[Yeah, off topic but I ran across some Amish talking on their cells and wearing Nike shoes; when I asked about their groceries, they buy them at the store like everyone else.  I was a bit surprised, but it makes sense.]

[danbeaver]

Matt,

This is a big point about troubleshooting an Amiga, its frequent crashes could be a weak PSU, failing capacitor, eroded track, or one of the multitude of patches made to the flippin' OS!  Or a tampered with HDD.

As far as the infected HDD firmware goes, this was another (NSA/TSA/Homeland/Fatherland Security Act) large scale effort that now uncovered, will lead to the Snowden Effect of people finding way to make sure they are not having their privacy invaded (which we used to have with a Constitution, or a Bill of Rights, and a few Amendments to protect us) until along came someone who felt that his own security was superior to anyone else's in America or even on this planet.

The drive companies will have to act and MAKE firmware safe, secure, and uncorruptible or face the backlash of us finding a company that will do this; a company that sell the drives that can not be infected.

[danbeaver]

Matt,

This is a big point about troubleshooting an Amiga, its frequent crashes could be a weak PSU, failing capacitor, eroded track, or one of the multitude of patches made to the flippin' OS!  Or a tampered with HDD.

As far as the infected HDD firmware goes, this was another (NSA/TSA/Homeland/Fatherland Security Act) large scale effort that now uncovered, will lead to the Snowden Effect of people finding ways to make sure they are not having their privacy invaded (which we used to have with a Constitution, or a Bill of Rights, and a few Amendments to protect us) until along came someone who felt that his own security was superior to anyone else's in America or even on this planet.

The drive companies will have to act and MAKE firmware safe, secure, and uncorruptible or face the backlash of us finding a company that will do this; a company that sells the drives that can not be infected.

[danbeaver]

Found this quote on Ars Technica: "While it's simple for end users to re-flash their hard drives using executable files provided by manufacturers, it's just about impossible for an outsider to reverse engineer a hard drive, read the existing firmware, and create malicious versions."

The article has a lot of interesting, if not somewhat sad, information.  How long was that shrub in office?

http://arstechnica.com/security/2015/02/how-omnipotent-hackers-tied-to-the-nsa-hid-for-14-years-and-were-found-at-last/

[danbeaver]

{Disk copy protection software ran in the 2K of the 1541, which actually transferred data slower than the 1540, and since the 6510 speed was tied to the C64's color, the 6510 either ran slower or the color was washed out}

[danbeaver]

Here's one to add grist to the mill:
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/199614-nsa-gchq-colluded-to-steal-sim-encryption-keys-for-millions-of-phones-possibly-including-yours

[danbeaver]

Tad more grist.........
                          Lenovo Shipping PCs with Pre-Installed ‘Superfish Malware’ that Kills HTTPS...  Company defends deplorable

http://www.infowars.com/lenovo-shipping-pcs-with-pre-installed-superfish-malware-that-kills-https/

Although HP has been doing mostly the same for years....

Yeah, but there are instructions to remove it -- for those who can read.

[danbeaver]

Unused?

[danbeaver]

Typical Kaspersky AD virus-article;) Don't believe the hype..

Wow! On your second post!

[danbeaver]

Yes, kindly read the thread, vide supra, noting references (URL's)

[danbeaver]

yes, like CPU overclocking and such.
I doubt manufacturers always use all surfaces completely, looking at various capacities they have.

I'm sure there is a platter left unused on the Samsung 850 Evo!