<p>^^ It was from the end user agreement for my Windows 7 PC. I can’t find it online anywhere. I can’t remember the exact wording, but I know it specifically said that either Microsoft or the PC may initiate sharing of files for the purposes listed, including files on the PC’s hard drive and any other storage drives.</p>
<p>Realistically, I’m sure Microsoft is well-meaning and wouldn’t use their power maliciously, but something in me would rather know they can’t access my files, instead of know they promise they won’t. Because even if Microsoft is honest, that doesn’t mean all their employees are, or that nobody else is ever able to gain access to Microsoft.</p>
<p>I’m not a scare mongerer, but I do care greatly about personal freedom and privacy.</p>
<p>this is crazy that people all over are talking about this. i live like 4 min from the school, its so weird to hear about it outside of the little main line bubble.</p>
<p>@ AeroEngineer Yes, those are the EULA/License Terms I’ve found as well. The words “law enforcement” do not appear in the OS EULAs. I’m sure that Microsoft will release RAT use to law enforcement, but as that constitutes a search and is not covered under the clear exemptions (car, running suspect, clear view) law enforcement will require a warrant before asking for access to those tools.</p>
<p>Other forms of electronic communications surveillance are covered under the wiretapping act, and again, require a court order.</p>
<p>There was a recent case about a warrantless remote computer search. Unfortunately, the Ninth Circuit ruled it [url=<a href=“http://www.thefire.org/article/7980.html]legal”>Newsdesk | The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression]legal</a> under ‘special needs’ exemption<a href=“the%20computer%20searched%20was%20on%20a%20university%20network%20and%20determined%20to%20not%20have%20a%20reasonable%20expectation%20of%20privacy”>/url</a>, but the larger picture is that under the majority of circumstances law enforcement requires a search warrant to remotely access your files.</p>
<p>@MosbyMarion, yes the fact that it is possible freaks me out too. And it’s not limited to Microsoft, Macs also have remote access software. I suppose the only true way to know that there is no easy to access RAT software is to wipe your computer and install Linux (I’ve heard Ubuntu is getting more user friendly…). But it is illegal for any Microsoft employee to go digging around in your computer on a whim.</p>
<p>There are easy ways of keeping Microsoft out of your files. So what if they say they can search them? Good luck. That’s like challenging somebody to a game where they’re making the rules… you’ll only win if the other side doesn’t care.</p>
<p>What nonsense. You’re confusing a hacker with a script kiddie.</p>
<p>The stuff about RATs is true. They can be bound with .exes and also with image files (yes, attaching a virus, trojan, or RAT to an image is easily done using file joiners. Making them executable is again possible, though tougher). These RATs can then do what you’d normally do on your computer. They can access URLs, download, transfer, and send files, steal your passwords, and also attack other computers. Macs and Linux/Unix distros are no less vulnerable than Windows machines. You might be in less danger using a Mac though as hackers tend to concentrate more on Windows/Linux.</p>
<p>Protecting yourself from these attacks is not as easy as is implied. Every single file you download off the net can contain a RAT. I’d write more about identifying RATs and protecting yourself from them, but I gotta hop. Perhaps later.</p>
<p>That being said, it’s pretty despicable what happened in this story. I think the people involved should get the book thrown at them hard… I’d make them all registered sex offenders and fine them as much for fraud as the law allows. Really, I’d throw them in a cage for 20 years with a camera on them to see how they liked it, but that’s probably why they don’t make me a judge.</p>
<p>^^^ If you have a modern laptop, it links to the internet regularly without asking you first. The only way to be sure is to cut off your internet service.</p>
<p>^^ In general, yes. In this case, since the computer was provided by the school, they would have set up the firewall too, so that it would accept the intrusion from the school.</p>
<p>Illegal things get done every day by corporations. We can’t trust corporations to police themselves. History has shown that, sooner or later, privacy will be violated.</p>
<p>Thought not very prevalent to the issue, some of the original commenters have noted that the picture looks staged and some on the thread that the laptop being open is creepy. I would say that many haven’t noted that the picture was taken at 5 p.m. What kid is actually going to bed at that time? </p>
<p>I’ve taken many a nap while my laptop (open), books, and study sheets are scattered about on my desk. It seems laughable that people (from the article, not on here) would think it staged; it’s not like there aren’t thousands of other pictures circulating. </p>
<p>Considering the administrator’s blatant comment of how much she enjoyed peeking into the “soap opera” like pictures, it’s nothing but pure voyeurism and just so creepy.</p>
<p>@LasMa, oh I’m not saying illegal things don’t happen at corporations or that power won’t be abused. What I’m disputing is the claim that Microsoft has the RIGHT to search your computer without a warrant at anytime, as written into the OS’s EULA. And that is not true.</p>