Kaspersky's Exploit-Proof OS Leaves Security Experts Skeptical 196
CWmike writes "Eugene Kaspersky, the $800-million Russian cybersecurity tycoon, is, by his own account, out to 'save the world' with an exploit-proof operating system. Given the recent declarations from U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and others that the nation is facing a 'digital Pearl Harbor' or 'digital 9/11' from hostile nation states like Iran, this sounds like the impossible dream come true — the cyber version of a Star Wars force field. But on this side of that world in need of saving, the enthusiasm is somewhat tempered. One big worry: source. 'The real question is, do you trust the people who built your system? The answer had better be yes,' said Gary McGraw, CTO of Cigital. Kaspersky's products are among the top ranked worldwide, are used by an estimated 300 million people and are embraced by U.S. companies like Microsoft, Cisco and Juniper Networks. But while he considers himself at some level a citizen of the world, he has close ties to Russian intelligence and Vladimir Putin. Part of his education and training was sponsored by the KGB, he is a past Soviet intelligence officer (some suspect he has not completely retired from that role) and he is said have a 'deep and ongoing relationship with Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB,' the successor to the KGB and the agency that operates the Russian government's electronic surveillance network."
Re:I have an "exploit-proof" OS (Score:2, Funny)
Your 4-function desktop calculator has no operating system, by any accepted definition of the term operating system.
Some of us are more accepting in our definitions. Or does your definition require that an OS must be something that presents a "C:" prompt?
Re:I have an "exploit-proof" OS (Score:5, Funny)
Right. And I consider my hot and cold water taps in my bathroom to be an operating system.
Re:I have an "exploit-proof" OS (Score:2, Funny)
Want to try hacking my abacus?
Re:I have an "exploit-proof" OS (Score:4, Funny)
No, he was referring to a sect of hackers who wear bright red lipstick while performing DoS attacks against calculators.
Re:I have an "exploit-proof" OS (Score:2, Funny)
Want to try hacking my abacus?
Abacus, meet my hatchet.