Backdoor found in widely used Linux utility breaks encrypted SSH connections
arstechnica.com
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Malicious code planted in xz Utils has been circulating for more than a month.

TL;DR there was a backdoor found in the XZ program. All major distros have been updated but it is recommended that you do a fresh install on systems that are exposed to the internet and that had the bad version of the program. Only upstream distros were affected.

BreakDecks
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I think the best option is to not be paranoid as a user.

Yeah, just never be a dissident, or a whistleblower, or an activist, or a member of a vulnerable marginalized group. Remember, if you obey there’s no reason to fear being spied on.

I really don’t think you understand how serious this kind of backdoor is. It puts certain people in real danger.

Possibly linux
creator
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These people do not seem to be affected unless they run Arch for some reason.

BreakDecks
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That’s only the case because it was caught fast. That was lucky.

Possibly linux
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Most definitely

And I don’t think you understand OPs point. Of course you should be paranoid as a person like that, but most users aren’t targets. If you, as a regular user, get this paranoid about using computers, maybe you should evaluate your priorities.

BreakDecks
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If you, as a regular user, get this paranoid about using computers, maybe you should evaluate your priorities.

“Regular user” seems to be a strange counter to all the people I just listed that would be affected here. I’m not worried about myself, I’m worried about the people whose privacy and security is extremely important in this context.

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