[userbinator]

The short answer is "only in how it is used".

Security is a double-edged sword. You can use it to protect against others, and others can also use it to protect against you. As computer security becomes stronger, I think it could be almost irresponsible to only mention the "good" uses - hackers accessing your bank account seems to be the cliche example - without also mentioning the malware-hiding, user-hostile, locked-down devices and DRM uses. After seeing what's happened to computing over the years, I'm starting to think that maybe such strong security is not good for society as a whole after all...

[drdeca]

for malware hiding, you could avoid that by demanding that the programs contain mathematical proofs that they do not do a certain number of malicious things, or that they only do a particular non-malicious thing?

[dogma1138]

No you can't, because you can't define what is malicious.

Your partner going through your underwear drawer is perfectly fine. However if you see a stranger doing the same well, its about time to call the cops.