[Novalug] OT question about a mathematician's proof of a program

Dave Greene omniplex@omniplex.net
Fri Nov 15 19:44:22 EST 2013


You probably don't need the power as it would be more secure powered down.
 On Nov 15, 2013 6:18 PM, "Jay Hart" <jhart@kevla.org> wrote:

> Charlie,
>
> To answer your question:
>
> If
>
> a. I build a computer and encase it in a very strong facility behind
> concrete and locked doors
> b. There is limited or no access on the box from users
> c. There are no external connections, period.  No wired connections, no
> wireless connections
> d. I power it from a standalone power source
> e. no connections (IDE, USB, SATA, SCSI) exist such that the data/OS can
> be accessed, NO
> [external/non-native] media can be mounted
> e. all development work is done on the computer, no external media allowed
>
> then yes, I can build a secure machine running a secure OS.  If won't be
> useful for much maybe,
> nut it will be secured
>
> I probably missed a few things, so others on the list, please add anything
> I've missed.
>
> Jay
>
> > List,
> >
> > Several years ago I read that a mathematician who was also able to code
> > proved that a very simple Linux program is correct. This brings up an
> > interesting point. There has been talk in Academia of declaring
> > mathematics  to be an art rather than a science. I took no interest
> > because I said, so what? That was before it became all important in
> > cryptology. In fact, for all I know, it already was but I wasn't aware of
> > it.
> >
> > My question is a bit complex. Evidently the bash-based OS, (spelling is
> > something like menuOS) was announced a few hours ago on Slashdot.
> > Everybody on this list who codes or has coded, even if all he codes is
> > "Hello, World".
> > And fairly recently there was a story on Slashdot, where else, about how
> a
> > back door was installed but removed by a sharp eyed coder who worked on
> > the kernel. Unless GCC has been proved by a coder mathematician, which it
> > ought to be, no OS can be declared safe.
> >
> > The only conclusion I can draw is, be suspicious if I come knocking at St
> > Peter's door. My body is a wreck, but because of peripheral neuropathy. I
> > have to take a stupefying amount of medication. I'm don't do as long a
> > list as anyone, theology included unless the compiler, GCC or any one
> > used.
> >
> > I guess my question is, can any OS be secure? Proof would come in
> > subjecting it to attacks by the millions and it passing muster. It does
> > have real world consequences, doesn't it?
> >
> > Comments welcome.
> >
> > Charlie
> >
> >
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> >
>
>
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