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Science & Technology |
GCHQ report on 'MULLENIZE' program to 'stain' anonymous electronic traffic |
2013-10-05 |
In a 2012 report from the NSA's British counterpart, the General Communications Headquarters, describes a method of "staining" electronic traffic to distinguish otherwise anonymous users. It is used to unmask Tor users and devices on networks in which many computers share the same Internet address. The method relies on planting code in a web browser to change the "user agent," which is the way the browser identifies itself on the web. In a two month period, the report says, GCHQ managed to implant about 200 computers with uniquely identifying stains. |
Posted by:Au Auric |
#4 Then again one doesn't go drilling holes in hundreds of taillights for dubious reasons, or because one can, either. Unless it's a matter of state security of course. |
Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2013-10-05 11:30 |
#3 Not necessarily. It's akin to drilling a hole in a taillight (old investigator trick) to track a vehicle. Doesn't affect what's inside the vehicle. Then again one doesn't go drilling holes in hundreds of taillights for dubious reasons, or because one can, either. |
Posted by: Pappy 2013-10-05 11:13 |
#2 The method relies on planting code in a web browser to change the "user agent," which is the way the browser identifies itself on the web. So this also stains/taints any evidence claimed to have been found on a computer. So much for forensic computer analysis in court cause we can never be certain whether its been planted or not. Reasonable doubt. |
Posted by: Procopius2k 2013-10-05 09:48 |
#1 Uh oh... |
Posted by: Shipman 2013-10-05 03:39 |