GCHQ: Security software? We'll soon see about THAT

The UK's spook agency GCHQ has been working with the National Security Agency to subvert anti-virus software, according to the latest piece of spoon-fed Snowden info reported on The Intercept. According to Glenn Greenwald's rag, spooks reverse-engineered software products in order to obtain intel – a tactic that will surely …

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: You act like...

You act like...

...it's wrong to catch and prosecute perps.

You act like…

…it's right to smash the windows of your car/house in to do a search of your property and belongings without a warrant.

[x 7]

"However US-based vendors McAfee and Symantec and Brit-based Sophos were notable by their absence"

Simple reason for that - all three are bloody useless at detecting malware and viruses in the real world. GCHQ / NSA don't need to "beat" them. Strange really - Sophos have some really sharp people working for them and are always on top of the latest threats.....but somehow that knowledge never gets transferred to "in the field" protection

[iLuddite]

on the other hand

The alphabet agencies cannot protect government data, cannot help corporations protect their data, and apparently cannot knock barbarians off the internet. Perhaps we over estimate them.

[Roo]

Re: on the other hand

"The alphabet agencies cannot protect government data, cannot help corporations protect their data, and apparently cannot knock barbarians off the internet. Perhaps we over estimate them."

Nah, I think they are oversold by people who want to eliminate privacy.

[Chairo]

Doesn't this fit nicely

to this story about Microsoft implementing a new "Antimalware Scan Interface" (AMSI) in Windows 10, that will effectively hand over all opened documents unencrypted to the installed AV product?

How convenient!

[Roo]

Re: Doesn't this fit nicely

Indeed.

The down voters won't present a rational counter-argument because they don't have one.