|
Snowdon said the NSA can watch us through our web cams, and in fact I have seen a spate of people putting tape over them.
Now, just how is this going to be implemented?
1) remote control through the network: Requires a receiver in the stack that can intercept certain packages and manipulate the web cam driver.
2) Data routing back through the network: The Cam driver data needs to be packaged as a network packet and sent over the network.
Now, I happen to know a lot about the kernel, and I can tell you there is absoloutely no built in way for this to happen, so unless the NSA have secretly installed a filter driver over these devices it isn't possible.
And of course as you should all be using firewalls, lock down, UAC and all that, this is extremely hard to do these days.
So its all a load of crap of you ask me and Snowdon is an attention seeking bullshitter.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
|
|
|
|
|
Munchies_Matt wrote: Snowdon is an attention seeking bullshitter
While this is almost certainly true, we all have a bit of that in us, I'd suggest there are kernels of truth in his revelations.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
|
|
|
|
|
I never met anyone 100% wrong yet, so yes, he will say something that is true. But this isn't. 
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
|
|
|
|
|
|
kmoorevs wrote: Suppose the 'stack' to control the webcam is embedded in various innocuous
software applications
The application would have to have administrator privileges to install kernel code, of that isn't granted, then it isn't. Of course you can always check the obvious, filter drivers on your web cam and network cards.
You can also run .lm from a windbg command prompt and see whats loaded in the kernel and check.
kmoorevs wrote: If MS is in cahoots with the NSA
According to the ex MSFT guy in my office, MSFT told the NSA and GCHQ to go jump when they asked for a back door to some encryption process.
Of course it is possible, as I said, but is it likely?
And here is the big problem with all this surveillance, if they were watching what we are all doing and saying they would have so much data it would be impossible to process. Utterly impossible. So for me that's the final limit.
Of course if they want to watch me jack off to porn they are welcome to it! See if I care one jot!
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
|
|
|
|
|
I think I forgot the joke icon.
It's not the NSA I worry about...it's the wife! 
"Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse
|
|
|
|
|
You mean she doesn't know this is what men do?
.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
|
|
|
|
|
Munchies_Matt wrote: And here is the big problem with all this surveillance, if they were watching
what we are all doing and saying they would have so much data it would be
impossible to process. Utterly impossible. So for me that's the final limit.
Of course they wouldn't process ans analyze all the data in real-time. Even they don't have enough manpower for that. Instad they would store it together with identifying information. And if, for some reason, you ever became a major pain in their ass, they would dig it all up, look through it and use anything they think is useful to blackmail/defame you or to justify capturing/drone-killing you.
The good thing about pessimism is, that you are always either right or pleasently surprised.
|
|
|
|
|
Yeah, that's a possible. Its going to take an unholy amount of storage though.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
|
|
|
|
|
Munchies_Matt wrote: According to the ex MSFT guy in my office, MSFT told the NSA and GCHQ to go jump when they asked for a back door to some encryption process.
Which is exactly what they would say if they were in cahoots with the NSA. 
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."
- Homer
|
|
|
|
|
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
|
|
|
|
|
kmoorevs wrote: The way some people install toolbars and crap these days, it could probably be plainly advertised as creepware and be installed legally (with user consent) on grandma's laptop.
I just had a mental image of grandma as seen through a hidden cam! 
You are now responsible for my never being able to think of grandma in the same way. 
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy.
I would agree with you but then we both would be wrong.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
|
|
|
|
|
|
Although this has been reported to be fixed it illustrates that there are alternative ways of approaching the problem. 
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy.
I would agree with you but then we both would be wrong.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
|
|
|
|
|
These devices do exactly what I said would be the only route: "the webcam runs independently as a networked device"
So it isn't surprising there would be a massive security flaw in their product. This is so obvious I am surprised they didn't think of it.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
|
|
|
|
|
"the webcam runs independently as a networked device "\
That confirms exactly what I said. Thanks.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
|
|
|
|
|
Wow. 
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
|
|
|
|
|
I am an ex mech/aero engineer who moved to software and found myself working mostly in the windows kernel for the last 18 years. They are just machines, big, complex machines, but they are limited to doing, literally, what they are built to do.
So in terms of security, in the old days cars had locks that cold be opened by anything, as do many computers today, but they evolved, as will computers.
Of course the thieves, NSA, will try to stay one ahead, but the best defense is to not install stuff, use autoruns from Sysinternals to see what is running, keep the kernel clean.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
|
|
|
|
|
Munchies_Matt wrote: "the webcam runs independently as a networked device "
That is kind of like saying "the sun is going to set in the evening".
How else would they get the audio/video feed, invite themselves over for tea and then ask if you can plug in this drive so they can download some video files?
|
|
|
|
|
I know, stupid isn't it.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
|
|
|
|
|
I need to buy a new bath robe.
modified 11-Jun-14 22:00pm.
|
|
|
|
|
You need to look good for the court photos after all!
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
|
|
|
|
|
It's definitely not bullshit.
Check out this talk by Christopher Soghoian[^], the Snowden leaks are very real, and bloody terrifying.
|
|
|
|
|
It is. unless some software like I proposed has been installed.
Computers aren't magic, they are machines, and unless the machine is set up to route web cam data and CnC over a network its impossible.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
|
|
|
|
|
I love the child-like optimism
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
