Scary or just what the doctor ordered?

[raymor]

Originally Posted by tickler

Raymor:
I know that the actual SN#s for the PC can be accessed through various programming languages like VisualBasic, etc. I would assume JAVA also.

Do you think it will reach the point where an Java applet is inserted to permit users access to the paysite as a signup condition. I thinking of something like 35M without all the crap.

So far processor serial number have been a one year thing.
Intel started using them in 1999. There was a big stink and
later that year a complaint was filed against Intel with the FATC.
By 2000 Intel ceased putting serial numbers in their chips.
To my knowledge, for the last 5 years there hasn't been any serial number that any
program could access, only something stamped in ink that has be
be read with a flashlight and some human eyes.

I certainly hope it never goes back to having a serial number within the
chip itself. Microsoft + processor serial number = very bad.
Not to even mention the possibilities if citizens were dumb enough
to let the goverment go any where near that serial number.
Of course if that did happen within 60 days or so I'd expect plenty
of software to be available to block it and I expect a large percentage of users,
including myself, would use such software.

On the other hand, hardware dongles are being used for authentication.
This scenario is different because the user specifically purchases
the dongle in order to positively indentify themselves and inserts it
into a USB slot only when they wish to prove their identity.
Though I may use such technology as part of protecting sensitive
data in A&M research labs (if that contract goes through), I don't
expect many porn sites to use them any time soon because so
many users won't have them or won't want to use them it would be very bad for sales.
20-50 years from now I wouldn't be at all suprised if that changed.
I can see a memory stick on your keychain which serves as
your credit card, perhaps your entire wallet, which you'd swipe/scan
to make the initial purchase and then again to log in.