WikiLeaks dump, CIA capabilities, your security and Best Buys assist FBI

Many things were revealed last week after the WikiLeaks dump.  Cybersecurity experts have been focusing on the "zero-day" vulnerabilities detailed in the documents.  These are holes in the code that can be used to infect a device with spyware/malware or to steal personal information.  The CIA has been criticized because they did not attempt to notify tech companies of the security flaws so they could be addressed but instead left Americans vulnerable to potential cyber criminals.

According to documents released in the dump, the CIA has the ability to hack into and control iPhone, Android and Samsung TVs.  It doesn't stop there, Skype, Wi-Fi networks and anti-virus programs can be manipulated as well.  If the CIA can hack these devices so can others.

The dump unveiled the agency's ability to hack into devices remotely and turn on cameras, microphones for tracking a person's location and messages.  The CIA along with intelligence services in the UK developed a hack targeting Samsung Smart TVs that enabled them to record surroundings while the TV appeared to be off.

In addition to the WikiLeaks dump, new federal court filings revealed a close relationship between the FBI and Best Buy’s Geek Squad.  The FBI was using Best Buy's Geek Squad to monitor and gather data on individuals.  Now I'm all for the capture of info that assists in getting child pornographers, criminals and other scumbags but I was still surprised to learn of the training and management of Geek Squad staff as FBI informants.


After CIA leaks, tech giants scramble to patch security flaws

Apple, Microsoft, and Google are analyzing leaked CIA documents to see if their products are affected, but security researchers say that most of the flaws have long been fixed.

http://www.zdnet.com/article/tech-giants-scramble-for-cia-hacking-fixes-most-flaws-patched/?loc=newsletter_large_thumb_featured&ftag=TRE17cfd61&bhid=2219791

FBI Used Best Buy’s Geek Squad To Increase Secret Public Surveillance

http://fortune.com/2017/03/12/rbi-best-buy-geek-squad/

http://www.ocweekly.com/news/fbi-used-best-buys-geek-squad-to-increase-secret-public-surveillance-7950030

The battle for online privacy:  What you need to know

https://www.cnet.com/news/online-privacy-what-you-need-to-know-faq/?ftag=CAD1acfa04&bhid=21042726186831923270015874178287


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