[rorrr2]

"We can plant bugs in machines" doesn't mean that they can do it remotely. That would actually be a serious serious backdoor and would put all kinds of businesses in mortal danger - banking, credit card, online shopping, etc.

Imagine what one rogue NSA employee can do with that kind of backdoor access.

So ENCRYPT EVERYTHING, and don't believe this propaganda. If your hardware has a backdoor, you're fucked no matter what, but businesses are fucked much much more.

[sneak]

> So ENCRYPT EVERYTHING, and don't believe this propaganda.

One of the best things you can do to improve your OPSEC is to stop believing in meaningless panaceas like "ENCRYPT EVERYTHING". There are many weak points in cryptosystems beyond the algorithms (key generation, management, and distribution famously come to mind), and many weak points in data security systems beyond cryptography.

Spouting meaningless catchphrases doesn't help anyone.

[JJAbhrams2244]

I see no reason that this couldn't be true. There are probably many checkpoints to access the backdoors. The reason they don't use it is because once they admit it, there would be a huge backlash

[rorrr2]

Assuming all hardware has backdoors (an unlikely scenario) and giving up basic encryption that can protect you in case when there are no hardware backdoors (a likely scenario) is counterproductive.

I see no reason that Zeus shouldn't exist. Should I be worried that he would strike me with a lightning? Not until I see evidence of Zeus existing.