Re: [Trisquel-users] The future of Libre Computing: Crowd Funding Campaign Starts Now

[dguthrie]

What I am thinking if is just a small computer to act as a USB key card, with  
memory that isn't easily rewritable, and just extremely simple software  
running on it. I don't think we need a network boot image but I'm not an  
expert. I read that a free software organisation in Japan made software  
called gnuk to run on tiny embedded computers, like that one the FSF sell.  
This acts as a card, what I'm proposing is that but with the addition of an  
alphanumeric keypad.
Regarding input method, I was thinking more along the lines of an  
alphanumeric keypad like they have on old mobile phones. This would require  
less complex logic than a touchscreen so it would reduce the attack surface,  
and would probably be cheaper to produce.
I can see why there might be a problem if they gained physical access to the  
memory of the system. However, you are basically done for if someone has  
physical access. They could just hurt you until you gave up the password or  
use a court order.
One reason for this is that a malicious program, such as launched from the  
BIOS, can just scan memory for private keys. I don't trust my computer, it  
feels like I am basically a guest, at the mercy of a great corporation. I  
think that if Intel corporation wanted to they could take control at any  
time. So this makes such a device not only useful but a necessity.