Published on: 2012-07-30T13:02:00+00:00
In a discussion on the Bitcoin-development mailing list from 2012, the author expresses concern about the security of the binaries available on the bitcoin.org site. They suggest that all binaries should be signed with gpg to provide an extra layer of protection against potential hacks and wallet theft. Despite developers having gpg keys, the author questions why detached gpg signatures are not already being provided for the binaries. This extra security measure is seen as crucial in safeguarding users' funds from malicious attacks.The email exchange includes a message about a Live Security Virtual Conference, which will cover the evolving security and threat landscape and how IT managers can respond. Areas of focus include endpoint security, mobile security, and the latest malware threats. The email concludes with a PGP signature using GnuPG v2.0.19 (MingW32).Specifically, in an email exchange on July 29, 2012, Mike Hearn expresses his preference for someone other than Gavin to be responsible for OS-vendor signing. While it is not clear who or what organization Hearn is referring to when he mentions "OS-vendor signing," it can be inferred that this refers to the process of certifying software for use on a particular operating system. Hearn's concerns about Gavin's involvement in this process are mentioned, but the exact reasons are not provided.The context also discusses the requirements for application signing on different operating systems. MacOS X 10.8 mandates application signing, requiring the use of a certificate issued by Apple's "identified developer" program to run unsigned apps. On the other hand, Windows does not require signing, but anti-virus systems tend to whitelist signers with a good reputation. Signing Bitcoin releases can potentially improve performance if anti-virus engines ignore file reads/writes by Bitcoin and shield from false positives. This is particularly important considering the issues in the mining tools world.To address these concerns, Mike Hearn suggests buying the signing certificates for both platforms and is willing to contribute money towards this effort. Gavin is suggested as the final signer for the process.Overall, the discussion highlights the need for improved security measures, such as gpg signatures and application signing, to protect users' funds and address potential threats in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Updated on: 2023-08-01T03:50:41.347418+00:00