Blackbyrd (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} blackbyrd2) wrote,@ 2008-05-03 18:07:00 |
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Thanks to ajollypyruvate and 14cyclenotes for the following link.
Microsoft has built and distributed at least 2000 thumb drive sized USB devices designed to make computer forensics easier.
The article indicates it makes it easier to decrypt passwords and gather other evidence from a computer, without even disconnecting it from the network or, presumably, the internet.
While I'm all forputting a stop to "cyber"crime, including stalkers and pedophiles, but not neglecting ID theft, the creation of zombies, and a host of other simply malicious more minor crimes....
This tool would, in the hands of a reasonably intelligent hacker, make it simple to strip all your information, passwords, account usernames, etc.
And Microsoft gave these away for free to 2000 cops.
There is not a single word about accountability, records on who has them, how they'll know if one goes missing. They're just releasing them into the wild, like..like.. like viruses.
And if you're a cop (or anyone else) who gets a neat little toy for free, how invested are you going to be in maintaining close control on the thing? You're going to be handing it to co-workers to show it off, loaning it out, and allowing them to loan it to others. If one of them loses it, how will they ever even realize it's missing, much less who lost it?
And the last line says it all, really; That Microsoft is pushing these as a product they'll be able to sell. Why would they not include a keystroke logger in Vista which (in the ad I'm envisioning) "can only be accessed through one of our Law Enforcement Insta-hack Field drives. We like to call it LEIF. No really, your system is perfectly secure, as only the police will have these devices."
Just like only cops will have tasers, bullet-proof vests, assault weapons or any other nifty product you can name.
Note that there were five other links that were just as disturbing, but you'll need to visit those LJs to see them. One of these at a time is all my BP can take.
ETA: Corrected the number of links. Seriously, you need to visit bothajollypyruvate and 14cyclenotes for some massively fucked up shit in the world.
ajollypyruvate and 14cyclenotes for the following link.Microsoft has built and distributed at least 2000 thumb drive sized USB devices designed to make computer forensics easier.
The article indicates it makes it easier to decrypt passwords and gather other evidence from a computer, without even disconnecting it from the network or, presumably, the internet.
While I'm all forputting a stop to "cyber"crime, including stalkers and pedophiles, but not neglecting ID theft, the creation of zombies, and a host of other simply malicious more minor crimes....
This tool would, in the hands of a reasonably intelligent hacker, make it simple to strip all your information, passwords, account usernames, etc.
And Microsoft gave these away for free to 2000 cops.
There is not a single word about accountability, records on who has them, how they'll know if one goes missing. They're just releasing them into the wild, like..like.. like viruses.
And if you're a cop (or anyone else) who gets a neat little toy for free, how invested are you going to be in maintaining close control on the thing? You're going to be handing it to co-workers to show it off, loaning it out, and allowing them to loan it to others. If one of them loses it, how will they ever even realize it's missing, much less who lost it?
And the last line says it all, really; That Microsoft is pushing these as a product they'll be able to sell. Why would they not include a keystroke logger in Vista which (in the ad I'm envisioning) "can only be accessed through one of our Law Enforcement Insta-hack Field drives. We like to call it LEIF. No really, your system is perfectly secure, as only the police will have these devices."
Just like only cops will have tasers, bullet-proof vests, assault weapons or any other nifty product you can name.
Note that there were five other links that were just as disturbing, but you'll need to visit those LJs to see them. One of these at a time is all my BP can take.
ETA: Corrected the number of links. Seriously, you need to visit both
ajollypyruvate and 14cyclenotes for some massively fucked up shit in the world.
