China Has Invented Miraculous Hack-Proof Processor And Operating System?

from the some-skepticism-please? dept

Fri, May 15th 2009 9:15am — Mike Masnick

Tim Lee points us to a somewhat (unintentionally) amusing article claiming that China has somehow developed a security "hardened" microprocessor and operation system that is effectively hackproof. Of course, there's no evidence of this presented whatsoever. And, it's somewhat difficult to believe that such a "security hardened" system could exist -- especially in a case where it's never actually been tested out in the real world against those who have incentive to hack it. So why does the reporter parrot these claims as if they're simple fact?

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Filed Under: china, security

44 Comments

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TheStupidOne, 15 May 2009 @ 9:28am

It is Hack Proof
If it doesn't exist
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- Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 10:40am
  
  Re: It is Hack Proof
  Propaganda China
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Tgeigs, 15 May 2009 @ 9:28am

No
You misread the article due to a typo. It actually stated that the processor "Shackproof" and was designed specifically for Yao Ming while he travels w/the Houston Rockets. It isn't widely advertised, but Yao also doubles as a spy gathering intelligence information on possible US Targets in case of a nuclear war between USA and China. As we all know Shaquille Oneal recently attempted a career in law enforcement, hence the requirement of a data system that is resistent to his attempts to infiltrate. Shackproof is a spelling error for Shaqproof.

Honest mistake, no worries.
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- Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 9:48am
  
  Re: No
  It isn't required now, Shaq is starting his new movie career with Ben Stein. Haven't you seen the ads?
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- Jason, 15 May 2009 @ 10:36am
  
  Re: No
  AND Shaq knows kung fu.
  
  Oh and so does Chuck. DON'T CANCEL CHUCK!!!
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- SRS2000, 15 May 2009 @ 11:06am
  
  Yao
  Be careful taking any laptop or smartphone into Yao's restaurant in Houston... The Chinese secret agents will hack in and steal your launch codes. Then serve you delicious food.
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  - Tgeigs, 15 May 2009 @ 11:11am
    
    Re: Yao
    "Be careful taking any laptop or smartphone into Yao's restaurant in Houston... The Chinese secret agents will hack in and steal your launch codes. Then serve you delicious food"
    
    Yeah, but you'll just be hungry again in an hour.
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:Lobo Santo, 15 May 2009 @ 9:30am

Payola?
Isn't it always "follow the money"?
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lavi d (profile), 15 May 2009 @ 9:42am

I'm Paying Attention!
So why does the reporter parrot these claims as if they're simple fact?

Because his story is protected by copyright?
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chris (profile), 15 May 2009 @ 9:59am

i have one of those
it's a p3 laptop sitting in a box in my basement. hasn't been powered on in a couple of years.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 10:05am

Why does the reporter parrot these claims as if they're simple fact? Come on, Mike! YOU coined the term to answer your own question: "Journalistic Capture"
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- Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 10:36am
  
  Re:
  A simpler explanation is it is easier to be a stenographer than an actual journalist.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 10:16am

It's China, of course they just parroted what the guv'mint told 'em to.
You know what they say, better safe than lined up against a wall and shot.
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Tony, 15 May 2009 @ 10:18am

Huh?
I always thought everything was hackable given enough time and money...

I guess the Chinese have proven me wrong...
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- Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 11:42pm
  
  Re: Huh?
  as chris mentioned it, only way for something to be un-hackable is if its un-powered and perhaps unreachable.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 10:23am

I dont know why people are taking it with such a grain of salt. I mean, yeah highly unlikely, but entirely possible. Creating an operating system that has limited capabilities, but is secure. Seems possible, seems like a good idea. Limit data flow of any sort on any ports except for things that are signed in some cryptographically "proven" manner.
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- SRS2000, 15 May 2009 @ 11:14am
  
  Re:
  Yeah.. It's called removing it from the internet.. removing any type of standard networking device or data access device.. Use a secure, obscure, and painfully encrypted network run by Navajo Indians. Have the room lined in lead and a faraday cage. Then have it automatically shut down if someone attempts to hack it. Then have the room it is in guarded by automated .50 cal machine guns with their own battery backup.
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- TheStupidOne, 15 May 2009 @ 12:29pm
  
  Re:
  Any OS is hack proof if only authorized people can access it. 0 networking ability coupled with decent physical security around the computer would make it inaccessible by even the most talented and determined hackers.
  
  Then even if malware would installed on accident by an authorized user it still couldn't compromise the security of the system.
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- nasch, 18 May 2009 @ 7:46am
  
  Re:
  I dont know why people are taking it with such a grain of salt. I mean, yeah highly unlikely, but entirely possible.
  
  I guess that answers your question: "highly unlikely".
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AudibleNod, 15 May 2009 @ 10:31am

Hack Proof PC
I have a security hardened PC with an uncrackable Operating System sitting on the floor next to me. The computer is unplugged and has been that way for a while. So I suppose the Chinese have some sort of paperweight with an OS embedded in it. Congratulations!
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- Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 10:38am
  
  Re: Hack Proof PC
  I have a hack-proof PC as well. It runs windows. Opps, I meant to say hack-prone. sorry.
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Chris, 15 May 2009 @ 10:41am

Chinese always make stuff up
China always inflates their accomplishments. They falsified information regarding their economy in which the world banks overinflated their wealth by 40%. Also china tends to wrong their own people, but hide it as much as possible. Along with many actions the Chinese have done, I wouldn't believe a thing they say.
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R. Miles, 15 May 2009 @ 10:44am

Firewall notwithstanding...
Of course, there's no evidence of this presented whatsoever.
That's because the system was hacked and the data stolen.
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Caleb Fenton, 15 May 2009 @ 10:45am

Try This
Press Ctrl+Alt+F3 and see if you get a Linux prompt. Lindows, anyone?
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- Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 11:13am
  
  Re: Try This
  Londows "endows" the chinese computers?
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StrongArm, 15 May 2009 @ 11:21am

I have 20 million in the bank
I can tell you all I have 20 million in the bank and its true until some looks and see's I have $2.52. Put the hack proof pc out there and we'll see whats up. Oh the PC will never be put out there because the Govt wont allow that now will it.

BTW I also have a purple pony that eats hay and produces gold and diamonds!!
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SRS2000, 15 May 2009 @ 11:21am

If it does exist
You know that if it does exist.. China didn't invent it. I mean, seriously, when has China not just stolen the information from some other country? Their last original idea might have been fireworks.. I wouldn't be surprised if this was all just some translation error. They meant to say their new OS was hot and stylin. Not Kylin.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 11:42am

It's not totally implausable
Perhaps they've built a microprocessor that doesn't work and an operating system that can't execute anything.

Then it'd be hack proof.

It'd be usefulness proof, too. But it would be hack proof.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 11:43am

Come on, just lemme have five minutes with this box...
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Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 12:01pm

The only hack proof computer is one that stays powered off at all times.
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- AC, 15 May 2009 @ 12:05pm
  
  Re:
  With the keyboard, mouse, usb ports removed from the motherboard, along with the network card and any external media like cdroms or floppies removed. all status lights need to be removed as well, as well as the powersupply being wired into a direct short.
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  - Chronno S. Trigger, 15 May 2009 @ 1:01pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Yet the HDD can still be stolen and attached to another PC with the ability to crack the encryption.
    
    The best hack proof computer I have ever even heard about was from my teacher in college; take a sledge hammer to it and when you're finished make absolutely sure that there isn't a single piece larger than a dime. This way it cannot be hacked locally or remotely.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 12:09pm

LOL too funny. it's binary compatible with BSD and Linux binaries. How does that make it hack proof I wonder? Just another *nix based OS here ... nothing to see.

http://www.honeytechblog.com/downlod-kylin-operating-system-by-chinaqingbo-wu/
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Tgeigs, 15 May 2009 @ 12:09pm

And
"China Has Invented Miraculous Hack-Proof Processor And Operating System"

They also proved the existence of God, cured the common cold, invented time travel, perfected reanimation of dead cells, and made Fran Drescher speak in a way that is pallitable to non-Long Island Americans.

China Rules!!! (Disclaimer: Some of the above claims may contain lead paint)
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Overcast, 15 May 2009 @ 12:34pm

It's called a pen, paper, and an abacus.
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Ben, 15 May 2009 @ 1:31pm

China's PR/Spin/Propaganda crap in overdrive!
Hey, I've got a bridge in the Gobi to sell you!

Acupuncture cures cancer, more at 11!
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Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2009 @ 4:11pm

Objective
Tim Lee points us to a somewhat (unintentionally) amusing article claiming that China has somehow developed a security "hardened" microprocessor and operation system that is effectively hackproof.

Strange, I didn't see that claim in the story. Just that it was "designed to be impenetrable", meaning that that was a design objective, not that it has been proven to be so.
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the running man, 15 May 2009 @ 8:47pm

Let the US knockoff the computer, and see how long it takes for China to hack it.
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Dan, 15 May 2009 @ 10:08pm

As long as it stays sequestered in a Mason jar on Funk & Wagnal's back porch it will remain unhacked.
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Hephaestus (profile), 16 May 2009 @ 11:14pm

For sale one slightly used 1970's teletype... fully hack proof .... papertape reader optional...
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adsense script, 17 May 2009 @ 11:47pm

washington post have posted this news... mmmmmmmmmmm
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I.P. Freely, 27 May 2009 @ 1:39am

Since we're telling fairy tales...
China is full of shit! Vince, the ShamWow� guy, sold me one of these unhackable processors months ago. It is made from Billy Mays' beard, a PCB board, and a few transistors from Radio Shack.
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BNilly, 17 Mar 2010 @ 11:29pm

Not right
U ar edumb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! u are stupid!!!!!!!!!!1
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h4ckr, 18 Oct 2010 @ 3:40am

it will soon get vulnerable
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