Microsoft gave FBI set of BitLocker encryption keys to unlock suspects' laptops • Hacker News Board

Re: Microsoft gave FBI set of BitLocker encryption keys to unlock suspects' laptops

#691

Post by slashdave » Wed, Jan 28, 2026, 6:21 PM UTC

bogwog wrote: post #96

varun_ch wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why continue to use an operating system that’s adversarial towards you?

I will never understand this from software engineers/tech people in general. That demographic knows how technology works, and are equipped to see exactly where and how Microsoft is taking advantage of them, and how the relationship is all take and zero give from their end. These people are also in the strongest position to switch to Linux. The only explanation that makes sense to me is that there's an element of irra…

It's convenient to attribute the reason to irrationality or cult-like behavior than to actually accept the real reasons.

Who is being irrational?

Re: Microsoft gave FBI set of BitLocker encryption keys to unlock suspects' laptops

#692

Post by beeflet » Wed, Jan 28, 2026, 8:47 PM UTC

citizenpaul wrote: post #678

beeflet wrote: post #374

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mass surveillance through $5 wrench (and massive thug salary) attacks do not scale, but mass surveillance through turn-key decryption does.

>massive thug salary Common misconception due to movie brain. The average "salary" of a misc gang member is under Anyway wrench hitting does not need to scale. They only want the passwords of people they perceive as being a threat to them which is a very small number of people.

Firstly, ICE agents are making six figures. So in this context it is. You pay for loyalty and secrecy, that is how the government works and how the mafia works.

Secondly, it must scale. If the list of perceived enemies is great, you must have great scale to execute violence. If it is small, you must have great scale to execute surveillance. If your surveillance is violent, such as shaking people down for their computers and passwords, then you need scale to attack both large and small enemies.

This is why mass surveillance (and prevention thereof) is a meaningful hurdle. The alternatives are physically challenging.

The application of the XKCD comic is misleading. It is like saying, why lock your doors at night when a burglar can just bust down your door or pick your lock or break in through a window. The purpose of a locked door or encrypted computer or any form defense is to force your enemy to engage in more expensive and limited measures in attacking you.

Re: Microsoft gave FBI set of BitLocker encryption keys to unlock suspects' laptops

#693

Post by concinds » Sun, Feb 01, 2026, 3:57 PM UTC

shimman wrote: post #385

concinds wrote: post #356

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The median user's threat model doesn't include the government, but does include data loss, forgetting the password, or a thief stealing your laptop. Microsoft struck the right balance. I'm glad the knee-jerk absolutists are marginal, for one. A world run by you people would be much worse for anyone who isn't you.

A world one by "those" people would lead to a less abusive and exploitive world, our current world is one based on suffering if you aren't extremely wealthy. I think I know which world I would rather join.

The armies of millions of scammers, thieves and organized criminals out there are also abusive and exploitative.

Re: Microsoft gave FBI set of BitLocker encryption keys to unlock suspects' laptops

#694

Post by theragra » Thu, Feb 05, 2026, 4:20 AM UTC

dhx wrote: post #565

theragra wrote: post #474

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't it the same with many Linux distros? Updates are using root to run?

Not really, but it's quite complex for Linux because there are so many ways one can manage the configuration of a Linux environment. For something high security, I'd recommend something like Gentoo or NixOS because they have several huge advantages: - They're easy to setup and maintain immutable and reproducible builds. - You only install the software you need, and even within each software item, you only build/insta…

Sadly, Linux still has many small issues for desktop day-to-day usage. I encounter different small bugs almost each day, something I don't see on Windows that often. These bugs or inconvenient UI are tolerable for me, but not for everybody. Today the bug was Firefox not starting with first click on the shortcut, and mysterious case where keyboard clicks are not registering in the Firefox omnibar until Firefox restart.