NSA exploiting your embedded devices
2013-12-30 00:34:01.369974+00 by Dan Lyke 0 comments
Der Spiegel: Inside TAO: Documents Reveal Top NSA Hacking Unit suggests that the NSA is reading Windows crash reports to learn information about targeted machines. I haven't dug into all of the associated documents yet, but CNET: NSA reportedly planted spyware on electronics equipment says that they also detail exploits in firmware of various embedded devices [Edit: Here's that article]:
According to the report, the NSA has planted backdoors to access computers, hard drives, routers, and other devices from companies such as Cisco, Dell, Western Digital, Seagate, Maxtor, Samsung, and Huawei. The report describes a 50-page product catalog of tools and techniques that an NSA division called ANT, which stands for Advanced or Access Network Technology, uses to gain access to devices.
I don't know where the rabbit hole hits bottom, but all of those thoughts I had about further network connecting various aspects of my house have completely lost any appeal.
And as Larry points out in linking to IT firms lose billions after NSA scandal exposed by whistleblower Edward Snowden, yes, the Snowden documents exposed the perfidy, but IT firms, and I suspect consumer electronics firms, are going to lose billions or trillions because they lied to us, that Snowden revealed that evil is a good thing.