>>>If you have concerns with firmwares, swap your card with, for example, an
>>>atheros or another card that doesn't need a firmware.
>> Some atheros does use firmware, eg athn(4).
>Not all the athns. Only USB ones, like the AR9271, need a firmware.
Mine is an Atheros (athn, I don't know the model now sorry), not USB and
OpenBSD automatically installed athn-firmware-1.1p0. I didn't even have the
chance to test if it would work without it. This is the point of my complaint.
I would have expected OpenBSD to ask me whether I wanted to install it and then
made my own decision (eg. buy another card or not). >If you're really *that*
worried you should build everything you use from >source after trawling through
the source. >Personally I'd be much more concerned about all the other
components on >your internet connection from router to ISP. >Then of course
there's your mobile phone........... >If you're using a PC you should probably
also be aware that >there is likely to be bios-installed code which runs in
system >management mode behind the back of the OS, this is also >proprietary
and could also affect the network card and all >other parts of the machine.
Also some of the various management >controllers you might find hav!
e pretty far-reaching capabilities >in this respect. I agree but all I'm
asking for is maximum awareness. When you know it, then you do what you think
best. I also think we should make it as hard as possible for government
agencies to get our data, that means fight for every detail. Am I in the wrong
forum? This way, at least you know that those that are able to spy on you are
not morons. After all, if you donB4t care about anything, why donB4t you use
Windows 7, Ubuntu or OSX? They are much easier to configure. >Easiest way to
disable the uvideo firmware (and any bios video spyware) is to stick black
electrical tape over the webcam lens. Thanks for those who pointed me out that
uvideo was the cam. I agree with the black tape approach because I dont use my
webcam often but this is more annoying with the network card... Thanks Stuart
for your insightful comments too.
