MS to Kill Linux with USB?

One of the latest announcements to come out of Redmond is a new way of handling USB in upcoming versions of Windows. Due to all the security concerns surrounding USB keys and similar devices, administrators for schools, enterprises, etc., will have the option to disable USB devices, preventing them from being read (or written to) by the operating system.

I suppose I can see sysadmins wanting a feature like that, especially given the availability of USB watches and knives and with Hollywood getting into the act with flicks like The Recruit in which a character sneaks a USB key into the CIA offices in the base of a commuter coffee mug. But I also think it would be as much a headache as a boon given the number of admins and office workers using handhelds and other devices these days. Try telling C-level exec that he can’t synch his Palm for security reasons.

Obviously we’ll have to wait and see how they actually implement the device before getting too worked up about it, but the paranoia’s already started. In fact, Robert Cringely’s latest column sees this as a way for Microsoft to force a wedge between the hardware industry and Linux.

Specifically, because Microsoft is already working with Intel on a new standard to allow for more secure USB computing, he sees this security being tightly integrated with motherboards and BIOS programming, which in turn will require licensed software (i.e., Windows) to access the devices. This would be enforceable by the all-encompassing patent that Microsoft would file (has filed?) to crush anyone who hacks/cracks the devices and hardware.

Alarmist? Perhaps. But it’s hard to put anything past The Beast these days. Again, only time will tell…