Jonathan Kamens 86 473d ago
#Microsoft locks account that #VeraCrypt maintainer uses to sign #Windows bootloaders with no explanation or route for appeal. If they don't fix this, in a few months every Windows computer that uses VeraCrypt whole-disk encryption will stop being able to boot and all the data on it that isn't backed up elsewhere will be lost. 🤦
If this doesn't convince you big tech has too much control, I don't know what will.
h/t @zackwhittaker
https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/08/veracrypt-encryption-software-windows-microsoft-lock-boot-issues/
#infosec #privacy #TechIsShitDispatch
Developer of VeraCrypt encryption software says Windows users may face boot-up issues after Microsoft locked his account | TechCrunch

The maker of the popular open-source file encryption software VeraCrypt said Microsoft locked his online account, which may prevent device owners from booting up their computers.

TechCrunch
Show threadManawyrm | Sarah3d ago
@jik @zackwhittaker
Weeeelll, that's a bit too much panic!
Yes, the machines might not boot anymore, but the data is still there.
It can still be read on a normal Linux Live-ISO just fine.
Show threadAndrew Zonenberg3d ago
@manawyrm @jik @zackwhittaker wait, so if the certificate expires *existing signed binaries* will no longer run? Does this mean any signed bootloader has an inherent shelf life and will need to be re-signed every so many years even if no changes are being made to it?
Show threadGraham Sutherland / Polynomial3d ago
@azonenberg @manawyrm @jik @zackwhittaker afaik no. the expiry usually isn't enforced.
Show threadRairii   3d ago
@gsuberland @azonenberg @manawyrm @jik @zackwhittaker certificate expiry won't be enforced, however if outright revocation of binaries happen, that will be
Show threadRairii   
@gsuberland @azonenberg @jik @manawyrm @zackwhittaker (talking about at executable load time here)
Apr 8 at 4:55pmWeb
Show threadGraham Sutherland / Polynomial3d ago
@Rairii @manawyrm @jik @azonenberg @zackwhittaker yup exactly the way I thought it worked
Show threadRairii   3d ago
@azonenberg @gsuberland @jik @manawyrm @zackwhittaker that said. i wonder if this is MS attempting to do some form of moderation on driver / EFI signers, given the instances of game cheat devs and outright malware actors signing drivers in the past (do i need to cite that unknowncheats thread again?)

that said, I quickly browsed around unknowncheats and didn't see anyone complaining about this, so...