FBIs-Secret-Spyware

Well, use the search history for "Magic Lantern" :D:
At least that was a name given to a suspected FBI spyware or keylogger years ago, and back then we said that we even might add it to detection if we could get hold of a copy, and that hasn't changed for any new software.
And no, we do not have such a whitelist. I really would be speechless from surprise if any government would actually contact us with such a question.

One quote from the news.com article:
Putting the legal issues aside for the moment, one key question remains a mystery: Assuming the FBI delivered the CIPAV spyware via e-mail, how did the the program bypass antispyware defenses and install itself as malicious software? (There's no mention of antivirus defenses in the court documents, true, but the bomb-hoaxster also performed a denial of service attack against the school district computers -- which, coupled with compromising the server in Italy, points to some modicum of technical knowledge.)
Click to expand...
Well, imho someone with a "modicum of technical knowledge" probably wouldn't execute email or IM attachments from strangers ;) But then, his footprints sound more like a script kiddy using some downloaded DoS tool and the "hacked Italian server" was probably just an open proxy server.

Anyway, it's probably not a modified standard keylogger, and as most news say, it's the first apperance for it. So the chance that no AV/AS just have never seen it before is quite high. And with an unknown sample, I would wonder more why his software firewall didn't warn him (but then, someone who installs software from a strangers email probably would allow that to go through the firewall as well) instead of asking for AV/AS.
 
The real concern here would be the potential WHITELISTing of known malware, just cause UncleSam would want you to assist them. I could see other companies (cough:MicroCrap:cough) doing such a thing.

I truely didnt suspect that you would do such a thing, but, thought I would post this anyway. As a point of interest to us all. Yeah they may use these tools to get bad people doing bad things. But since they have a history of abusing (controling) citizens with their other tools, I suspect they will do so with these tools too!

Of coarse I may just be paranoid!?!? As I am a memeber of a Special Grand Jury (SGJ-Investigates its own goverment) and has been having alot of computer issues, that have lead me to try to test and work with over 7 software Firewalls (now with Comodo), as my computer has in the past tried to upload data over 7000 times in one evening while I sleep. I cant find any Spyware, or rootkits, ect. But I suspect my rig is comprimised, just havent been able to find it yet. Maybe UncleSam wants access to my notes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top