Re : Re: Re : Re: fw_update
I confirm it works, so this firmware (athn,uvideo) is not necessary. My network card is an Atheros AR9285. I suspect it could have been my Atheros too Bluetooth Adapter. Call me paranoid but it makes me happier! I apologize for the bad format of my last email (new webmail) and some out-of-topic comments. I think I was in evangelic mode.. Sorry. Last question. Which is the best way to disable fw_update so that when it connects to the network it doesnB4t attempt to install more firmware? Stuart suggested: # echo 127.0.0.1 firmware.openbsd.org /etc/hosts will this work if I have another source other than ftp.openbsd.org? ie. are the firmware updates independent from the pkg source? I'd like to round up with a request to make firmware installation optional in the installer (amd64 cd) if there are any chances that the OS will work without it. Some question like: Would you like to install X (your Z hardware might not be operative without it). This would me happier too. Thanks for your patience and work. - Message d'origine - De : David Coppa EnvoyC)s : 10.05.12 12:20 C : mark sullivan Objet : Re: Re : Re: fw_update On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 12:03 PM, mark sullivan mark.sulli...@gmx.fr wrote: I didn't even have the chance to test if it would work without it. Yes, it should work. Just remove the package with pkg_delete athn-firmware.
Re : Re: fw_update
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.
fw_update
Hi everybody, I was coming to OpenBSD 5.1 looking for reasonable privacy and when I install it (amd64 flavour), I see that fw_update automatically installs propietary firmware without my permission. Actually even worse, it updates it automatically from the net! The parts affected are quite meaningful: the network card and the video card... I mean.. Should I request that you install propietary firmware for my sound card too so that everybody can record my voice too? I would like to hear your arguments on this and if there is a simple way to disable fw_update and uninstall in general everything propietary affecting the network card that I have not been warned about. I read on the FAQ that I should have been asked about this firmware but I wasnB4t! (amd64 cd installer). Thanks much, Mark
