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FBI "Trojan horse" triggers alarms

Josey1Josey1 Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
edited November 2001 in General Discussion
FBI "Trojan horse" triggers alarms 18:34 26 November 01 Will Knight Software companies may be asked to make their security applications ignore FBI computer surveillance tools, but experts say this could create security hazards.The FBI is reportedly developing a "Trojan horse" computer tool called Magic Lantern. This program is designed to steal passwords from the computer of a suspected criminal. This would allow investigators to unlock and read encrypted communications and encrypted files.Many computer security programs are designed to detect covert applications of this sort, to protect the system from malicious hackers. Some software vendors may therefore be asked to co-operate by making their security tools ignore Magic Lantern.The Washington Post has reported that anti-virus software maker McAfee has already agreed to make its tools ignore Magic Lantern under certain circumstances, to avoid tipping-off suspects. But a report by the German newspaper Heise suggests this is not the case. McAfee was unable to clarify the situation to New Scientist.Open back door Anti-virus software producer Symantec says that, in theory, security software could be deactivated under certain circumstances - when a warrant is issued, for example. A spokesman adds that, although Symantec has contacted the FBI, little is known about the FBI's program.Bruce Schneier, founder of Counterpane Security, warns that the sort of functionality needed to turn a blind eye to Magic Lantern could easily be exploited by hackers. "There are a good half a dozen hacking tools that do this kind of thing," he says. "What scares me is that we'd have an open back door that any 'malware' writer can use."Graham Cluley, chief researcher for UK anti-virus company Sophos, says that making security software disregard Magic Lantern could be controversial. "Foreign governments may want protection from Magic Lantern," he says. http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99991608
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Comments

  • mudgemudge Member Posts: 4,225 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Here we go.....another of our rights being taken. "Oh, we'd only use it for suspected criminals." Yeah....right! Mudge the distrusting
    I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "Power corrupts . . . absolute power corrupts absolutely." Any bad guy w/ half a brain who reads this article will - if they have not already - keep encryption passwords on a separate machine not attached to the Net and encrypt / decrypt messages there. And with all the people in the world who can write apps, all the money available to drug lords and terrorists, just who is this software going to catch, even if it should be limited to justified searches? Fish so small they are sharkbait anyway. Don't buy it, no way.
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  • Judge DreadJudge Dread Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sinse the first 8086 chip all CPU have Internal acces key that at any moment theDeparment of Defence can locate,access,control the systems using them.(Via satellite RF interception (Stargate)Thats why many nations develop their own chips and CPUs like GERMANY Z800 chipsand japan PC 1000 series ,and "Americanmade" 24.000" chips (Motorola) (To put govoff limits from having free cable TV.) HE HE HE !
    I judge Thee!, Not for what you are , but for what you say !
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