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Microsoft adds 'kill switch' to Windows Phone 7

Topic: Security

Microsoft adds 'kill switch' to Windows Phone 7

Summary: Microsoft has joined the ranks of Apple and Google in placing a potentially controversial security measure into its mobile-application platform.

Josh Lowensohn
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TOPICS: Security, Microsoft, Mobility, Operating Systems, Software, Windows
11

Microsoft has joined the ranks of Apple and Google in placing a potentially controversial security measure into its mobile-application platform.

The company has built a layer of security into Windows Phone 7 and the apps available through the included marketplace program that enables it to disable an application or remove it entirely from a user's device. It transpires this safety feature was also included in Windows Mobile 6.5 through the Windows Marketplace for Mobile.

According to an interview with Todd Biggs, Microsoft's director of product management for the Windows Phone Marketplace, in PC Pro, this is a worst-case scenario security measure, and something that is unlikely to be a common occurrence given the company's testing process prior to an app being made available.

For more on this story, read Windows Phone 7 has an app kill switch, too on CNET News.

Topics: Security, Microsoft, Mobility, Operating Systems, Software, Windows

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11 comments
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  • They can't afford it

    The issue is that if they ever use it - even once - they'll be in a spot where consumers will lose confidence in the platform. Apple can afford that because they still have a very positive image in the minds of everyday people. Google can get away with it because those who care run modded ROMs that make it at best difficult to pull that switch. Microsoft has neither.

    Joey
    voyager529
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft adds 'kill switch' to Windows Phone 7

      @voyager529 Also those who jailbreak their iPhones can also have the ability to disable the "app kill switch" on iOS.
      athynz
      Reply Vote

    • Ballmer has the real Kill Switch

      @voyager529 - because of loss of confidence in the platform, Microsoft CEO will hold the real Kill Switch to kill off the platform entirely if it doesn't sell well.

      He did this earlier in the year with Windows Phone KIN.
      Vbitrate
      Reply Vote

      • Loss of Confidence?

        That is not the correct term as no one "lost confidence" in the platform.

        Would you also say that people have "lost confidence" in the iPhone as they have sought alternatives? :|
        Tim Cook
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft adds 'kill switch' to Windows Phone 7

      @voyager529 - Picture the scene if some piece of software on the marketplace is found to be malicious or in some way compromizes user's privacy, safety, etc. Now picture what happens if Microsoft (or Apple, Google, etc) DON'T have a killswitch!

      The killswitch, if used correctly, could help ensure customer confidence knowing that they can be protected from malicious or faulty software.
      bitcrazed
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft adds 'kill switch' to Windows Phone 7

    Not a real big worry.... this 'kill switch' is meant to be used when there is an illegal or malware/virus app in the store.

    It could conceivably also be used by the government and others to 'kill' the phones of people who have had them stolen, to make them worthless.
    Lerianis10
    Reply Vote

  • Ah .. the history of ZDNet articles about "Kill Switches"

    I had to do some research on ZDNet to satisfy my curiosity. In 2008, Apple admitted to having an iPhone "kill switch" for apps. Since I've only been reading ZDNet articles for about a year now, I did some research to see if the "Apple - Google - Microsoft opinion wars" go back that far.

    Well .. on August 11, 2008, Larry Dignan posted the blog article "Jobs: App Store is huge; iPhone has a kill switch" which generated 46 comments.

    A comment from that blog post from "wolf_Z" goes something like this:
    "...Apple has just said that they can kill any application on your iPhone? Even one you paid for?

    How, exactly, does that differ from theft? Apple, in effect, has boldly claimed to be able to steal your application, presumable without refunding your money.

    Sounds like a lawsuit of epic proportions to me!

    If Microsoft did this the howls would sunder the pillars of heaven.

    Given Apple's spotty security record does anyone want to bet a hacker won't gain access to the mechanism."

    I wonder if wolf_Z is still waiting to hear the howls sundering the pillars of heaven?

    And, finally, from Altotus, this nugget of crystal ball gazing. "This is the reason that Apple isn't big".

    Not to be outdone, on October 16, 2008, Michael Krigsman blogged on ZDNet with this article titled: "Android kill switch: Is Google evil?" That blog generated 98 comments.

    So far, this Microsoft "Kill Switch" article has generated only a handful. Perhaps this topic has finally been revealed for what it is .. a topic that is "much ado about nothing".
    kenosha77a
    Reply Vote

  • Not a problem .....

    till it happens to YOU!
    ;-)
    kd5auq
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft adds 'kill switch' to Windows Phone 7

    All Microsoft products should have a 'kill switch', activated NOW!
    james347
    Reply Vote

    • I see someone pressed the kill swtich on your post

      james347.
      Tim Cook
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft adds 'kill switch' to Windows Phone 7

    It's not relevant to me personally because I'd never bother with a windows phone in the first place. I love my Droid X, and everything it's capable of.
    qique12569@...
    Reply Vote