Air Force now using super-secure version of Windows XP
By Nilay Patel 
posted May 1st 2009 6:42PM
posted May 1st 2009 6:42PM
[Via Slashdot]
posted May 1st 2009 6:42PM
Microsoft Windows 7
A look back on popular stories from today in a specific year.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Am I the only one who assumed the the DOD probably had its own top secret proriatary OS?
What the air force fails to realize is that Ballmer programed the OS to send out a signal to destroy the competition. Apple will be declared a threat to our country and bombed to oblivion, same for google, sce, nintendo, blackberry (assuming they are no long in talks).
You forgot linux in your list.
Actually the AF has already started the migration to Vista. The plan is to have all AF desktops on vista by the end ofn the year.
http://gcn.com/Articles/2008/08/01/FDCC-model-branches-out.aspx
Well done, you're the first person in this article to notice that this is part of an agreed migration strategy. The USAF run XP dependent applications which are highly sensitive and therefore take time to move over. They are, however, sticking with Windows because it'a the most secure and flexible system available for their needs.
Of course the usual knuckle dragging freaks will come out with "Lulz Vista failed!1!" - which it hasn't - or "Get a Mac!" - as if any large scale business would - because it's easier than finding out the facts.
[ ] I accept the following shit to missile
[ ] I dont accpet the following shit to do so
The story is somewhat misleading.
This version of XP is called the Standard Desktop Configuration (SDC)
The AF has been doing this since 2004, and there have been several versions.
Microsoft didn't 'create' this, it was a collabortive effort of a large team of people in the AF.
Microsoft has always been a part of this team.
I'd like to see the Clinger-Cohen data that shows how that $100M was saved, but that's a different topic.
This is not news, the AF is scheduled to migrate from XP to VIsta by the end of the year.
For those of you that think you want this version, you really don't, it's not a home user friendly version.
You could create your own version, just follow the DISA Security Test and Implementation guides for XP.
What is not mentioned is how the updates and patches are managed using SMS and WSUS.
this will no doubt draw some attempts at humor, but this mac fanboy says kudos to ballmer & MS for this one. If it helps the military, saves money, we should all be appreciative.
If Ballmer's so anti-Linux why is he dressed like a penguin?
Support call volume has dropped because peeps are tired of having to call M$, as well as wait 2 hours on the phone.
Even so, it's not secure enough for the SGC!
Coming to a torrent network near you...
The question is, will those machine be connected to the internet? If not, then I think we shoud be okay. If yes, we're doomed. I can see Steve Gibson preparing a bunker now, if not already. This is just not a good idea. More and more countries are adopting open source software/OS. Time has shown that open source is actually more secure. All we need is some stupid personnel opening up IE6 and connect to the net.
Did you miss the part about this being more secure? I work with (not for) the USAF and can attest to the locking down they've done on the OS and its apps, including IE. It's annoying as all hell to support, but I understand the necessity.
Also, the "we're screwed" doesn't even come into play. Their (and everyone else's) classified systems traditionally don't connect to the Internet. Any time you hear of classified data finding their way to the real world, it's due to a "LAN contamination"...when classified data find their way to a non-classified system.
Doesn't this prove that if Microsoft wants to do something well done that they can?
The Wild Blue Yonder of Death.
"The effort's to standardize and preconfigure the OS has paid off: 85 percent of previous known exploits have been blocked"
So now instead of being vulnerable to attack by over 150,000 forms of malware, the US Air Force version of Windows is "only" vulnerable to attack by about 25,000 forms of malware. That's what Microsoft calls "super-secure" ;-)
"Super Secure version of Windows XP"
LOL, this is possible?
Do you think the MS guys are feeling a tad underdressed? :D
At least wear a tie, guys.
the guy on the far right looks like chief tyrol from battlestar. just saying...
This explains the 'victory' in Iraq !! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED !!
Um, doubt this is really going to be fed to all bases. I'm on an AF computer now with Vista...
I really don't understand the point of this dog-and-pony show that was put on. I work in a Communications Sq in the Air Force and we have been using a standardized image of XP(first called SDC and now called FDCC because it was adopted by the entire govt are the direction/recommendation of the GAO), along with standardardized GPO settings to make us more secure since '06. And what make this even more worthless is that we are already well into our migration to Vista, which has to be complete by the end of the year.
This was a waste of time and money.
AWACS: Delta 6-4, this is AWACS-3; what is your status?
Pilot: Fuck if I know, my plane is running Windows Update
LOL.
That just made my day xD
People would be getting randomly bombed if the airforce started using vista. World peace would happen if they used leopard
I always thought SG1 was running XP.
HAHA! Funny, on all of our Air Force computers, it's standard that we install VISTA, as of about 6 months ago at least. Makes you wonder what happened to that "special version"?!??! We've been using it for years.
If you think that's so HAHA funny perhaps you need another dose of ritalin, go ask your mom, 'general'.
Are you sure they use windows for ICBM's and AC-130's? I somehow have trouble believing that, I thought they used specialised systems for that not PC's, the PC's are more for the payroll department and logistics surely?
This was a reply to another comment but engadget failed me and put it separately, for those that didn't get that.
of course they wont sell it to the public,youll put all sorts of people out of business
Save $100M - just shows what a POS the retail version of XP is.
All the non-military users - roll up and keep paying...
I wonder when this will appear in the torrent site next door!
--XP--
Evasive Manoeuvre: This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
If the problem persists, contact the program vendor.
--Vista--
Windows needs your permission to continue, if you started this action, continue.
Evasive Manoeuvre: USAF
--Posix--
E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/manoeuvres/evasive - open (13 Permission denied)
E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/manoeuvres/), are you root?"