NSA Code in Windows?

A friend from work sent me this article about how the NSA has special access to Windows based computers because of some programming mistake by Microsoft. The article was written back in 1999, so this is well before all this current NSA spying news came out. While the article is entertaining to read, I find some of the information to be valid and others to be crap. The crap I speak of would be something that Bill O’Reilly would report about.

“A CARELESS mistake by Microsoft programmers…”

Well that about sums up the valid part of the article.

Where I find this to be crap is where the article talks about how Microsoft knew about the issues and purposely did not patch the holes in the Windows code that assisted in the NSA’s spying. Microsoft at times does not successfully patch a security hole that was found, but in most cases, they make every attempt to patch the security holes as discovered by security firms. It’s not just the NSA that would use this. Some hacker in some country would eventially find this special backdoor for the NSA.

To think Microsoft would leave a hole wide open for years just blows me away. I am sure it is possible, but I don’t think they would sink to that level. If Microsoft so decided to be negligent, they would be exposing computers from all over the world to attacks, viruses, spying, etc. If Microsoft is going to give the NSA code to gain access to computers from all over the world, then I am sure they also have some code for Pat Robertson to inject God into our computers too or maybe automatically some godware.

Think about what would happen if this was real? Think about who would want the code? Screw terrorists, it’s the corporations and other government agencies that would drool over this ability. The RIAA for example has been trying to get permission from the courts, and legislation, to grant them access to “hack” user’s computer so that they can search for copyrighted material.

If these agencies want to get into computers, get a friggin’ warrant from a judge! If we the people cannot “hack” the government systems, then why should the government be able to hack we the people? Possible government response: “because it’s in the name of national security and thwarting off terrorists.” Those darn MP3s! I had no idea they were so dangerous.

Maybe the story is true, but then again, maybe I am just being irresponsible to believe Microsoft would have such an alliance with the NSA.