FBI Warns Users About Foreign-Developed Apps

[Condobloke]

Probably a rehash of previously given advice....but a refresher likely won't hurt

The FBI Is Warning Users About 'Foreign-Developed' Apps

It's really the same cybersecurity advice you've probably heard before.

au.lifehacker.com

 

[CaffeineAddict]

If this news is aimed at American citizens that's fine and valid concern, otherwise it's a load of BS.

I personally never installed any Chinese or Russian software (except for Yandex once to see how it feels), and I also avoid their software due to lack of trust and difficulty to verify developers.

However the US is not anything different in regard to spying activities, it's enough to recall E. Snowden, a living proof.

 

[PuppyHome]

Still solid advice to keep the majority of users informed of dangers and traps.

See, folks like us on these forums are usually aware of what is described in the article but "we" are not the target audience here.
The vast majority of the internet using herd is not very aware of these things and run after the last fad or that nice shiny thing in a heartbeat without thinking twice.

 

[Condobloke]

well said @PuppyHome ^^^^^^ truer words never spoken.

 

[MikeWalsh]

I can't help thinking this is simply more posturing from the Orange Man and his crowd of yes-men.

Didn't he threaten - a while back - that the US would pack up its toys, retreat into its own closed-off space, and refuse to play with the rest of the world any more?

The warnings are, of course, valid. As @PuppyHome says, it's not really targeted at the majority of Linux users.....who by our very nature, ARE more "tech-savvy" and aware than the rest of the herd.

(shrug...)


Mike.

 

[KGIII]

Hmm...

There's more than a bit of xenophobia going on in that FBI notice. Sure, they call out China -- but the US has things like the CLOUD Act. That and, despite the best efforts of <redacted> US, the entire rest of the world doesn't yet hate us.

Additionally, the idea that a foreign government may get my data isn't all that concerning. There's not a whole lot that they can do with any of that data. I don't live in China. If I'm worried about anyone gathering my data, then I'd be worried about it being done by my own government.

Hmm... Some of the above may be nearing the event horizon that is politics.

Man, there's so much more that I'd like to say. It's a bunch of <redacted>, <redacted>, fear-mongering, <redacted>, bullcrap. My own <redacted> <redacted>ers have a history of gathering my information and spying on me.

Sure enough, and it works a large percentage of the time, we rely on our lizard brains and follow the red herring.

 

[Rocky10x1]

A few years back, I set up an ipset blacklist for entire countries. It includes "China, Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Nigeria, Ukraine, and Israel". But looking at all the spying going on these days, I’d probably have to block half the planet.

 

[wendy-lebaron]

"foreign-developed apps"

this could include the linux 64-bit executable product of this programming system:

GitHub - QB64-Phoenix-Edition/QB64pe: The QB64 Phoenix Edition Repository

The QB64 Phoenix Edition Repository. Contribute to QB64-Phoenix-Edition/QB64pe development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

by americans or by anyone of any nationality. only wanting to mess around with a few lines of code. especially those who are old enough. who have had 8-bit and 16-bit computers. only want to keep the nostalgia going.

i'm only citing an example. this could well include any programming system. for example racket. or even a complex game-creation and distribution system such as "defold." it would be a shame.

i'm going only by my most recent visit to another forum i belong to. finding out windows received an update. which forces "exe" programs to be authenticated. no matter where they come from or how they were created. beyond the "s" mode and other idiotic tactics by a company insecure about its market share. where its behavior in greedy fashion has done nothing about it lately.

 

[beanburrito]

Just like big pharma. Was it Chris Rock who said during a bit:

"They don't want you using YOUR drugs, they want you using THEIR drugs."

 

[Kojack]

A few years back, I set up an ipset blacklist for entire countries. It includes "China, Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Nigeria, Ukraine, and Israel". But looking at all the spying going on these days, I’d probably have to block half the planet.

Starting with the biggest offender. The current United States of America. Every accusation is a confession.

 

[piorunz]

Starting with the biggest offender. The current United States of America. Every accusation is a confession.

Exodus has already started, in European Union at least. Not blocking anything instantly, but slow drip out of U.S. into native, not-hostile solutions.

EU Alternative - Discover European Software & Digital Services

Find 100+ European alternatives to popular software and SaaS. Support EU digital sovereignty with GDPR-compliant, privacy-focused solutions made in Europe.

eualternative.eu

 

[AlphaObeisance]

I gave up on believing in privacy in 2013. Anyone that thinks it stopped there after that whistle was blown is either ignorant or down right foolish. While I still practice above average security protocols and strive for truly hardened infrastructure; I'd be foolish to believe there isn't some kind of back door hard coded into every single device I own.


None of them can be trusted. Regardless of what flag you fly, or don't; or whatever.

 

[deb_user]

The FBI, and indeed the entire US government, can no longer be trusted on anything.

 

[AlphaObeisance]

The FBI, and indeed the entire US government, can no longer be trusted on anything.

I'll reiterate.

None of them can be trusted. Regardless of what flag you fly, or don't; or whatever.

To point the finger solely at the US would be laughable at most. They're all guilty. Each and every government on the face of this planet is driven by self interest at the expense of it's people. But discussing it will only deter into political discussion unfit for linux.org.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

The FBI, and indeed the entire US government, can no longer be trusted on anything.

I'll reiterate.

None of them can be trusted. Regardless of what flag you fly, or don't; or whatever.

Here's simpler rule:
Anything centrally controlled by humans can't be trusted.

That's why most FOSS enjoys special status when it comes to trust.