8.8. Who Owns Your Computer?

Originally published in Wired, 4 May 2006

When technology serves its owners, it is liberating. When it is designed to serve others, over the owner's objection, it is oppressive. There's a battle raging on your computer right now—one that pits you against worms and viruses, Trojans, spyware, automatic update features, and digital rights-management technologies. It's the battle to determine who owns your computer.