Digital Peepholes, a new study issued by the Institute for Science Law and Technology (ISLT), shows that webcam spying via malware is so commonly used -- not just by governments and law enforcement agencies, but also businesses, educators, pranksters and hobbyists -- that it is now virtually a part of everyday life in many parts of the world. Once the province of … [Read more...]
The BT and SS8 Connection: GCHQ Intrusion on Demand
At a recent U.S. conference BT and SS8 co-exhibited -- an unusual move that may well reveal their relationship in a unique area: malware. The sight of an outsized trade show banner featuring the logos of BT and SS8 against a London panorama gets one’s attention. It is virtually unheard of for a communications service provider to make a public display of its involvement with … [Read more...]
Vupen Security: The “Golden Boys” of Malware
In the broader landscape of intrusive technology, where players are damned by the media, privacy advocates and occasionally court systems, one company remains above the fray and invariably comes off looking squeaky clean: Vupen Security, the “golden boys" of malware used by government agencies to combat terrorism. They may also be the very best in the business. Based in … [Read more...]
Intercept Monitoring Systems – Russian Amazon.com of Surveillance
C5IS closes our October 2014 review of Russia’s surveillance vendors with a look at IMS -- the Russian Amazon.com of Surveillance. It’s not every day one sees an ISS manufacturer sending out customer alerts on the dangers of fraudulent copycat products. Such is the case with Intercept Monitoring Systems (IMS), a division of Moscow-based Discovery Telecom Technologies … [Read more...]
Product Shootout: Lawful Malware
With the recent flap over iOS 8 and Android encryption, law enforcement and intelligence agencies may well wonder whether the “lawful malware” they’ve bought from the world’s top intrusive surveillance companies is about to become iJunk. How, they well may ask, can agents get past smart device encryption so strong that even manufacturers can’t help? Let the Right One … [Read more...]