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2006-05-18 Home Front: WoT
US State Department pulls China-made PCs from secure networks
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Posted by Seafarious 2006-05-18 16:14|| || Front Page|| [11129 views since 2007-05-07]  Top

#1 Meet the new Stinkpad, same as the old Stinkpad...
Posted by tu3031 2006-05-18 16:35||   2006-05-18 16:35|| Front Page Top

#2 Not gonna be many left. But it could resurrect Acer.
Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-05-18 16:43||   2006-05-18 16:43|| Front Page Top

#3  The fact that State would even consider Chinese computers on a secure network is a disgrace.
Posted by Mike N. 2006-05-18 16:47||   2006-05-18 16:47|| Front Page Top

#4 I've always wondered, now I know:

This is how stupid it can get.
Posted by Foggy Brains 2006-05-18 16:54||   2006-05-18 16:54|| Front Page Top

#5 hey! I didn't install a wi-fi! what the......?
Posted by Frank G 2006-05-18 17:22||   2006-05-18 17:22|| Front Page Top

#6 This reminds me of the time we let the Soviets(?) build our embassy.
Posted by SLO Jim 2006-05-18 17:39||   2006-05-18 17:39|| Front Page Top

#7 Yup, the mike was in the element ball of the selectric typewriters and everywhere else, IIRC.
Posted by anonymous2u 2006-05-18 17:41||   2006-05-18 17:41|| Front Page Top

#8 As a systems analyst, I fail to see any security threat from Chinese made PC's or PC's made by a company owned by a Chinese interest. There is no 'magic chip' hiding inside to spy on America. A PC is a PC is a PC. Some are built better than others of course. I own a Thinkpad and find it is lighter, faster, has a longer battery life, a longer wireless range, and just looks nicer than my old Dell. Personal preference.

However, the real question is whether the US government should be doing business with firms controlled or outright owned by the Chinese government. I'll leave that one to the politicos to decide rather than the IT professionals.
Posted by mcsegeek1 2006-05-18 18:39||   2006-05-18 18:39|| Front Page Top

#9 Don't see what the big deal is - most US telecomm and networking companies are outsourcing development to mainland China. So the State Dept. is worried about China introducing a trojan into their PC hardware and firmware, but not their networks?!
Posted by DMFD 2006-05-18 18:57||   2006-05-18 18:57|| Front Page Top

#10 mcsegeek1 - and of course you've inspected all the code in your machine's BIOS?
Posted by DMFD 2006-05-18 18:58||   2006-05-18 18:58|| Front Page Top

#11 What are they going to do with the 16,000 midgits hidden in the computers?
Posted by Danking70 2006-05-18 19:30||   2006-05-18 19:30|| Front Page Top

#12 Somebody needs to have a good study of the software. Finding a back door would be reason to clobber Lenovo. My guess, however, is that the Chinese are already installing back doors all over the place via Internet activity.

That said, I'm not keen on my tax dollars supporting the Chinese to the detriment of the free world. I would have bought an IBM, but I won't be buying any Lenovos. If you can't buy an American or Japanese computer, you need to ask yourself why. As for the Russians, I'm not buying any gasoline from LukOil either. Pisses me off that they're even in my neighborhood.
Posted by Darrell 2006-05-18 20:03||   2006-05-18 20:03|| Front Page Top

#13 U.S. State Dept. be lookin' out for us. KEWL!!
Posted by as">as  2006-05-18 21:04||   2006-05-18 21:04|| Front Page Top

#14 Now we know where the Chinese is getting the money for that new carrier (or whatever warship) they are planning.....
Posted by CrazyFool 2006-05-18 21:24||   2006-05-18 21:24|| Front Page Top

#15 I'm going to inspect my teeshirts for hidden code.
Posted by 6 2006-05-18 21:40||   2006-05-18 21:40|| Front Page Top

#16 According to Safire - we used a software trojan to destroy a Soviet pipeline - link here.
Posted by DMFD 2006-05-18 22:20||   2006-05-18 22:20|| Front Page Top

#17 Pretty much a symbolic move. Although I applaud the symbolism. Small potats in comparison to American corporations turning over system admin functions to red Chinese outposts. Sys admin for your 401K, sys admin for heavy hitter trading systems. I'm sure these outposts will remain loyal to the American corporation if shooting starts. Really nothing to worry about at all. Financial transactions will remain unmolested. No problem.
Posted by It Insider 2006-05-18 23:33||   2006-05-18 23:33|| Front Page Top

#18 
What is it with this coutries government and corporations handing over the keys to the kingdom to our sworn enemies???

That's a rhetorical question, by the way.

Some day there will be a bill to pay, I hope these a$$hats enjoy their money now. Oof!


-M
Posted by Manolo 2006-05-18 23:50||   2006-05-18 23:50|| Front Page Top

00:01 JosephMendiola
23:50 Manolo
23:50 SOP35/Rat
23:45 trailing wife
23:41 bombay
23:33 It Insider
23:29 Gromosh Elminegum5705
23:26 Monsieur Moonbat
23:18 Manolo
23:15 eniac
23:13 JosephMendiola
23:13 Monsieur Moonbat
23:04 Monsieur Moonbat
23:00 Broadhead6
22:55 Manolo
22:52 Frank G
22:51 Broadhead6
22:47 Manolo
22:47 xbalanke
22:46 Broadhead6
22:42 Jules
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