Hacking tools were stolen from NSA - Almost all Windows affected

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  1. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #41

    elbmek said:
    My paranoia is on the first Black Sabbath album.
    Love it!
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  2. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #42

    simrick said:
    The NSA develop them.
    Hi there

    If the NSA develop them (or "acquire" them by various means - fair or foul) then so can others -- by what "Divine Right of Kings" do people assume that the NSA has the best brains in the universe -- probably a 15 year old Russian Hacker if so inclined could do the same.

    Over many years in my working life I have rarely found that the "Best Brains" (whatever that means these days) rarely graduate towards public service.

    The best way to be safe is not to have anything on your computer these organisations would be interested in and obviously as well use the Internet safely -- and if surfing / using "dubious sites" use tools like VPN and / or TOR etc. Don't open dubious emails, replyour local Windows stuff on a Windows VM.

    Of course another alternative (but not immune against determined hackers) is to use LINUX for Internet surfing and just run your local Windows stuff on a Windows VM where possible.

    Cheers
    jimbo
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  3. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #43

    jimbo45 said:
    Hi there

    If the NSA develop them (or "acquire" them by various means - fair or foul) then so can others -- by what "Divine Right of Kings" do people assume that the NSA has the best brains in the universe -- probably a 15 year old Russian Hacker if so inclined could do the same.

    Over many years in my working life I have rarely found that the "Best Brains" (whatever that means these days) rarely graduate towards public service.

    The best way to be safe is not to have anything on your computer these organisations would be interested in and obviously as well use the Internet safely -- and if surfing / using "dubious sites" use tools like VPN and / or TOR etc. Don't open dubious emails, replyour local Windows stuff on a Windows VM.

    Of course another alternative (but not immune against determined hackers) is to use LINUX for Internet surfing and just run your local Windows stuff on a Windows VM where possible.

    Cheers
    jimbo
    Regardless of "how" the NSA got these tools, the fact remains that they are nation-state-grade hacking tools. This is serious stuff.

    And, you do realize TOR has been breached by them?

    Regardless, safe computer practice, as you say, is always the best. :)
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  4. Posts : 2,535
    Win 11 x 64 Home on PC and Win 11 Home x 64 on Surface 9
       #44

    If I am not doing anything illegal except voices my opinions, I am not worried. Unless they interfer with my life, then they can go to hell and back in court. We have a Data Protection Act in the UK, if they breach that the fan will be put on full power.
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  5. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #45

    elbmek said:
    If I am not doing anything illegal except voices my opinions, I am not worried. Unless they interfer with my life, then they can go to hell and back in court. We have a Data Protection Act in the UK, if they breach that the fan will be put on full power.
    But, you have to catch them in the breach, before you can do anything about it.... you don't know what you don't know.
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  6. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #46

    simrick said:
    But, you have to catch them in the breach, before you can do anything about it.... you don't know what you don't know.
    Hi folks

    old saying -- not sure where it came from but still valid today.

    "What the eye doesn't see --the mind doesn't grieve over".

    I'm quite sure that the activities of a fairly rural "animal" like me approaching retirement (actually have already stopped doing "Full time work" and am a lot more selective with my gigs these days) -- would BORE the pants off any young idealistic fired up person working in the NSA -- what on earth would they DO with that data -- do they really care whether I buy Scented Loo paper or not etc -- I'm sure they could flog that info to the Chinese for an absolute Fortune. !!

    My main objection is when Police or whatever Govt agency need more - usually unspecified powers - and gets them because some political bigwig decrees that they must have then "in the Name of National Security" without there being anything in place as to what "National Security" actually means !! or also without a legitimate debate amongst elected representatives in a parliament / assembly etc from all parties as to whether the Nation state is really being threatened.

    I'm sure we all know the difference between a possible war footing where genuine emergency actions can and should be taken by the Govt of the day -- but a vague "In the interests of National Security" is a much more troubling potential mis-use of powers - or certainly could be.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #47

    jimbo45 said:
    Hi folks

    old saying -- not sure where it came from but still valid today.

    "What the eye doesn't see --the mind doesn't grieve over".

    I'm quite sure that the activities of a fairly rural "animal" like me approaching retirement (actually have already stopped doing "Full time work" and am a lot more selective with my gigs these days) -- would BORE the pants off any young idealistic fired up person working in the NSA -- what on earth would they DO with that data -- do they really care whether I buy Scented Loo paper or not etc -- I'm sure they could flog that info to the Chinese for an absolute Fortune. !!

    My main objection is when Police or whatever Govt agency need more - usually unspecified powers - and gets them because some political bigwig decrees that they must have then "in the Name of National Security" without there being anything in place as to what "National Security" actually means !! or also without a legitimate debate amongst elected representatives in a parliament / assembly etc from all parties as to whether the Nation state is really being threatened.

    I'm sure we all know the difference between a possible war footing where genuine emergency actions can and should be taken by the Govt of the day -- but a vague "In the interests of National Security" is a much more troubling potential mis-use of powers - or certainly could be.

    Cheers
    jimbo
    Couldn't have said it better Jimbo.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,097
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 1809 (OS Build 17763.437)
       #48

    We've all heard this quoted or paraphrased but Benjamin Franklin once said: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
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  9. Posts : 5,833
    Dual boot Windows 10 FCU Pro x 64 & current Insider 10 Pro
       #49

    jimbo45 said:
    Hi folks

    old saying -- not sure where it came from but still valid today.

    "What the eye doesn't see --the mind doesn't grieve over".

    I'm quite sure that the activities of a fairly rural "animal" like me approaching retirement (actually have already stopped doing "Full time work" and am a lot more selective with my gigs these days) -- would BORE the pants off any young idealistic fired up person working in the NSA -- what on earth would they DO with that data -- do they really care whether I buy Scented Loo paper or not etc -- I'm sure they could flog that info to the Chinese for an absolute Fortune. !!

    My main objection is when Police or whatever Govt agency need more - usually unspecified powers - and gets them because some political bigwig decrees that they must have then "in the Name of National Security" without there being anything in place as to what "National Security" actually means !! or also without a legitimate debate amongst elected representatives in a parliament / assembly etc from all parties as to whether the Nation state is really being threatened.

    I'm sure we all know the difference between a possible war footing where genuine emergency actions can and should be taken by the Govt of the day -- but a vague "In the interests of National Security" is a much more troubling potential mis-use of powers - or certainly could be.

    Cheers
    jimbo
    Very well stated, Jim. With Trump in office we're trying to basically do what your country did > Drain the swamp and start all over. Politically and legally we are so far from our beloved Constitution it's pathetic. Time to mop up the slime.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 5,833
    Dual boot Windows 10 FCU Pro x 64 & current Insider 10 Pro
       #50

    CWGilley said:
    We've all heard this quoted or paraphrased but Benjamin Franklin once said: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
      My Computers


 

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