FBI Used a Fake AP Web Page to Infect Suspect with Tracking Malware

[Exterminator]

Content source

http://news.softpedia.com/news/fbi-used-a-fake-ap-web-page-to-infect-suspect-with-tracking-malware-490424.shtml

Associated Press now sued the FBI to clear its name
The Associated Press and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press have filed a lawsuit against the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) in an attempt to force it to release information about a 2007 operation.

The AP's interest in this matter stems from the fact that in 2007, according to documents obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), the FBI created a fake news story and crafted it to look like a Seattle Times Web page.

The FBI used malware to determine the location of a potential bomber
This page contained tracking malware, which was used to learn the whereabouts of a suspect connected to a series of bomb threats on Lacey Timberline High School.

The documents obtained by the EFF reveal how the FBI, suspecting a MySpace user of involvement in the bomb threats, created the fake Seattle Times article, together with an Associated Press byline, and sent the link via a MySpace private message to the suspect's account.

When the suspect, a 14-year old kid, clicked the link, the tracking software helped the police identify his location, by collecting data on his MAC and (public) IP address.

The FBI later refused to publish documents related to this case
Legally, the FBI did obtain a warrant for searching the suspect's computer, but privacy watchdogs and freedom of the press advocates feel the Bureau failed to inform the judge they plan to hack into the victim's computer or that they intend to mimic the media in this particular case.

Now, members of the media, and especially The Associated Press, are accusing the FBI of purposely withholding documents, which would help it officially clear its name.

"We cannot overstate how damaging it is for federal agents to pose as journalists," said Katie Townsend, Litigation Director for The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

“This practice undermines the credibility of the independent news media, and should not be tolerated. Yet while the public clearly has a strong, compelling interest in knowing more about the FBI’s use of this tactic, the FBI seems determined to withhold that information. We have been left with no choice but to look to the court for relief."

 

[Kate_L]

NoScript Security Suite is the answer

 

[jamescv7]

I really don't know how its not too easy to provide permission and make a deal as a secretive agreement for a surveillance purpose so to avoid the misinterpretation. They should aware on that consequences; likely they need to double check their homework.