FBI Increasingly Using Malware To Remotely Turn On Phone/Laptop Microphones
from the that-seems-problematic dept
It's not a secret that the FBI has used hacking methods in the past to spy on suspected criminals, including keyloggers and remotely turning on microphones in mobile phones, in order to spy on suspected criminals. However, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the FBI has been ramping up these efforts, specifically hiring hackers and purchasing hacker tools to be able to do more such things.Federal agencies have largely kept quiet about these capabilities, but court documents and interviews with people involved in the programs provide new details about the hacking tools, including spyware delivered to computers and phones through email or Web links—techniques more commonly associated with attacks by criminals.The report also notes things like using a computer's camera to take photos -- though, in the one case where this tactic was requested, the judge nixed the request, worried that it might lead to the collection of info on innocent people. There's also this wonderful line:
[....] The FBI develops some hacking tools internally and purchases others from the private sector. With such technology, the bureau can remotely activate the microphones in phones running Google Inc.'s Android software to record conversations, one former U.S. official said. It can do the same to microphones in laptops without the user knowing, the person said.
The bureau has controls to ensure only "relevant data" are scooped up, the person said. A screening team goes through all of the data pulled from the hack to determine what is relevant, then hands off that material to the case team and stops working on the case.Considering how we've already seen the feds redefine "relevant," that seems kind of laughable.
Of course, if you're a computer hacker, you might be safe:
The bureau typically uses hacking in cases involving organized crime, child pornography or counterterrorism, a former U.S. official said. It is loath to use these tools when investigating hackers, out of fear the suspect will discover and publicize the technique, the person said.So, um, if you want to avoid such things, I guess you should get busy hacking.
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Filed Under: doj, fbi, hacking, remote access, remote listening, surveillance
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So...
Sweet! Time to hack the stock market.
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CFAA
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Commonly associated? They are attacks from criminals. And the criminals now are law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Now who judges the judge?
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The bureau has controls to ensure only "relevant data" are scooped up, the person said. A screening team goes through all of the data pulled from the hack to determine what is relevant, then hands off that material to the case team and stops working on the case.
For those that thought it's just metadata welcome to the next step.
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Latest Chrome Browser Can Activate Webcams
When you think surveillance, think Google!
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Re: Latest Chrome Browser Can Activate Webcams
"Second, as great a headline as it might be to say “Google is spying on you with your own webcam!” this sensationalism would be no more true than saying that Adobe or Microsoft have been spying on you for years. They haven’t been.
Once you get past the scary headlines that are bound to pop up, like, “Google Switches On Browser Spy Cam in Chrome” (on MSNBC), you will realize that (on a security level) not much has changed. Once you have a plugin like Flash enabled in your browser, it becomes a bolted-on part of your computing environment, no more or less secure than if the same functionality were native to your browser."
Funny, the article you ultimately linked to called you an idiot. Nicely done, dumbass....
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Re: Latest Chrome Browser Can Activate Webcams
Your obsession with Google's spying is incredibly odd, but this tagline makes me think that perhaps you're engaging in an intentional deception. It appears to me that you are trying to distract from the really serious surveillance threats by getting people to focus on one of the lesser ones.
I'm genuinely curious about this. Why do you think Google is a bigger threat than the government?
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Google is a subcontractor to the NSA making HSA top dog in the NSA and Google, Yahoo, Microsoft criminal organization dedicated to monopoly and world totalitarianism.
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I also only use a fliptop phone and refuse to buy into any kind of smart phone.
My home rig is VPN'd and other stuff too.
Not that that all stops the spying lying Gov but I do my part to keep my shit private.
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This does not prevent your phone from being used to eavesdrop on you, by the way. Using phones in this way predates smartphones.
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I'd pay more
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I, Robot
2) A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
I guess even Asimov's laws of Robotics will not save us from the FBI.
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The bureau typically uses hacking in cases involving [...] child pornography [...]
Sounds to me like they turned on the wrong camera and now no one dares to look anymore for fear of another lemon party incident.
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Your move, FBI.
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In unrelated news today, the FBI testified before Congress that there is need of a new law mandating webcams installed on all new and existing computer systems, phones, and toilets. Mitch McConnell sponsored the new legislation, entitled the "How's That, Anonymous Coward Act Of Two-Thousand And Go Fuck Yourself".
President Obama has promised to sign the act should Congress send it to his desk. He's also promised to sleep through the hearing tomorrow on the NSA's abuses, because accountability makes him have to go poopy....
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FTFY
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government gone to crime?
A Government have gone into crime to fight a crime?
That would only work with games and anime with some bunny ear lawyers... Not in real life....
I think getting a opensource is better than a branded one...
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Fraudulent Spam From FBI Director Mueller
Well, guess what… It wasn't a hoax after all.
That spam really came FBI Director Mueller. He sent it himself.
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Hardwired LED
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Not Too worried
But as to bigger problem,(mentioned before by a host of others) even with computer screening, there is simply too much information for them to scan. How many secret clearances can they give out .. sounds like a business opportunity ... but more so it makes abuse even more likely since the cherry pick who they want to target.
But wait until it's a federal crime to circumvent the surveillance equipment they might want to use? The logical outcome of this if you look at the current laws. Not make them equip it, but like emissions certifications car inspections.
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