By Debra Houston | A couple years ago, I switched from a personal computer to an Apple iMac. Viruses ravaged my PC like so many Visigoths crashing down on the Roman Empire. Despite antivirus debuggers, brute malware, and lofty firewalls, I’d routinely visit the Geek Doc and plunk down a hundred plus dollars to sweep out the invaders. Those hundreds added up. I could’ve bought a new computer with what I’d spent on fixing one PC.
I don’t know how Apple halts invaders, but the Geek Doc is out of business for me. It is rare for a hacker to gain entry into Apple products, but if you’re stupid enough to disclose passwords to a Nigerian prince, then don’t be surprised when your bank account reads zero.
With that said, I’m annoyed with the FBI tasking Apple to invent a master key to unlock the Apple iPhone of San Bernardino terrorist Syed Farook. Annoyed, because the terrorist angle is a Trojan horse.
First understand that according to 9to5mac.com, the FBI said it had initially reset the iCloud password on the terrorist’s iPhone and that it seemed like a screw-up. I suspect the FBI didn’t have a real IT person on hand. Secondly understand that Apple techs came immediately upon FBI request and gave the Bureau all the data it possessed. So Apple isn’t thumbing its nose at anyone.
The problem is that Uncle Sam wants a key to unlock everyone’s iPhone. If Apple complies and gives the government a hack-able path, you can be certain hackers will also use said path. Think about the data you store on your phone: Where you go and when, what you do, who you call, and what you text. It’s nobody’s business.
I love America with all my heart, but I question the government with the entire analytic left-side of my brain. This isn’t about San Bernardino. The government is manipulating right-brain emotional types who always believe Chicken Little when he says the sky is falling.
What the government is mandating from Apple would be like me walking up to Bob Dylan and demanding he create a new song for my use. Can government force you to create something? And for its own use?
Our government is prepared to play nasty. It has filed a Federal court order to force Apple to comply. I say, let the lawsuit begin.
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