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Imagine if a computer virus emerged that secretly attached itself to one of the
most popular software programs ever. Imagine if the largest media
outlets unwittingly praised this secret pairing, encouraging millions of
people to install it. Imagine if none of the major antivirus programs
would detect it. Imagine if once installed, it could alter anything on
your computer without your consent or knowledge. Imagine if the virus
was at the control of a greedy entity that has repeatedly trampled on
consumers and smaller companies to advance its corporate agenda. Imagine
if it could force everyone who wanted to communicate with you to also
carry the virus so it would insidiously spread person to person. Sound
like a scary sci-fi plot? It's not science fiction. This week MO3 will
be released on the world. Here's how to detect it in your neighborhood
and what you can do to protect yourself:
The Trojan Horse
Press outlets will blanket the world with stories about Microsoft
Office 2003. Most articles will tout seemingly innocuous features and
feel good quotes from Microsoft like "this is our most important
product release ever." Unfortunately the press won't talk about the
dangerous software buried inside this release - MO3. This code will
give Microsoft the ability to change anything on your computer at anytime
they wish with no notification to you.
The Security Ploy
Post 9/11, few people question actions taken under the guise of
"improved security" and this is how MO3 will be foisted onto computer
users - as a feature to 'make you
safer.' Computer users have understandably tired of the near daily worm
and virus warnings, as well as the time-consuming patch process due to
Microsoft's lax software standards and its focusing not on building
secure products, but products that secure its monopoly market
positions. To improve the predicament which they've created, Microsoft
is forcing consumers to accept MO3 embedded into every computer. Listen
closely and you'll hear Microsoft mouth pieces speak of "turning
software into a service" which really means they will be changing the
software on your computer whenever they feel like it. They will slowly
limit your ability to run non-Microsoft software. They will restrict
choices on your computer to only those products they approve. They will
make changes which cripple other software programs or reduce their
ability to interoperate with your computer so you will be forced to use
exclusively Microsoft approved products.
History Repeats Itself
Microsoft may use this newfound power to fix some holes in their
software, but they will also abuse this power to further their
corporate monopoly and increase their control and profits. Microsoft has
already embedded the MO3 virus into another operating system they have
deployed, called Xbox. They now have the power at anytime to change all
existing Xboxes which connect to the Internet, and they are already misusing it.
They have deleted files from users' computers without their knowledge or permission.
They have added software which has removed the ability to run
competitor's software. They have been changing users' systems without their
consent and notification. They will do the same on Microsoft Windows
based computers once MO3 is installed.
Microsoft management has shown to be deceitful and dishonest and will continue this behavior. Twice
Microsoft has been found guilty by the Federal government of using
illegal tactics to drive competitors out of business and extend their
monopoly. December 1st, 2003 a trial will take place in Seattle Washington where more of Microsoft's past behaviors will come to light.
Infecting Friends
To stop the advance of competing products and to force users into
purchasing new software with the MO3 virus, Microsoft is making certain
Microsoft Office 2003 files unreadable by all older versions of
Microsoft Office and all competing office suites. Products like Sun's
StarOffice are getting extremely good at interoperating with
Microsoft word processing, presentation and spreadsheet files making it
possible for people to spend close to $50 for an office suite
instead of giving $400 or more to Microsoft. To blunt this and force users of older versions of Microsoft Office to buy new
software, Microsoft has changed the specifications for some files.
Again under the umbrella of "security," Microsoft is implementing
features which limit who can open and edit documents to further thwart
competition. Microsoft Office 2003 gives its users the ability to
control who can read and edit certain documents, but only if they use
the latest Microsoft software. If one user within an office uses this
feature, all others will be unable to use any other office suite to access
that document. They will not be permitted to run Linux software, they
will be required to purchase and run additional copies of Microsoft
Office 2003. Since documents are frequently emailed around via the
Internet, this will force others to accept Microsoft's software or be
unable to communicate. Microsoft refers to this as IRM for "information
rights management," but it's really an "infection relay method" designed
to force everyone to adopt MO3. They will be using scare tactics about
leaked memos or misdirected emails to persuade unwitting computer users
to deploy this technology. Doing so will create a viral growth of MO3
which will give MS unlimited power over every computer.
Universal MO3
MO3 will not only come with Microsoft Office 2003, but with future
Microsoft products as well. The same technology will be embedded into the next
version of Microsoft's operating system software so all users will have
to accept it with their new computer. Latest estimates indicate this
new software will not ship until 2006, so between now and then, watch for
Microsoft to secretly embed MO3 into updates or security patches that they
promote for their existing product line.
Protect Yourself
There are precautionary measures you can take to fend off MO3. First
off, do not purchase and install Microsoft Office 2003. Also,
discourage those around you from purchasing Microsoft Office as well, since one infection
will quickly grow. If you need a new office suite, check out the solid
and affordable StarOffice 7.0
which runs equally well on Microsoft Windows or Linux computers, and can
be purchased online and immediately downloaded and installed. Encourage
those penning articles and reviews to fully inform their readers of the
dangers of Microsoft Office 2003. Finally, encourage them to do
in-depth reviews of Microsoft Office 2003 vs. Sun's StarOffice 7.0 so
people can make informed decisions about the benefits and risks
of either product.
-- Michael
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