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All of you knew that it could only get worse:
Kaspersky malware probers have uncovered a new 'operating system-like' platform that [they claim] was developed and used by the National Security Agency (NSA) in its Equation spying arsenal. The EquationDrug or Equestre platform is used to deploy [an estimated] 116 plug-in modules to target computers that can siphon data and spy on victims. So far, only 30 modules have been identified.
"It's important to note that EquationDrug is not just a trojan, but a full espionage platform, which includes a framework for conducting cyber-espionage activities by deploying specific modules on the machines of selected victims," Kaspersky researchers say in a report.
The article goes on to explain that Kaspersky further believes that the software is part of the "NSA's campaign to infect hard disk firmware". There is considerably more detail in the article.
I think I am going to get my old manual typewriter out of the garage, get a new ribbon, use U.S. Mail instead of e-mail, and buy more ink for my fountain pens.
(Score: 2) by zafiro17 on Monday March 16 2015, @02:59PM
... but you realize of course the US Mail is probably being searched and quantified too. There's almost no escape. There has to be some other platform for communication, but what we're calling the Internet is starting to look a little long in the tooth. It smells like old milk.
Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis - Jack Handey
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 16 2015, @03:17PM
Fountain pens?
If one would give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest man, I would find something in them to have him hanged.
- Cardinal Richelieu
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Phoenix666 on Monday March 16 2015, @04:52PM
Burning Ft Meade and Washington DC to the ground might help.
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 2) by mendax on Monday March 16 2015, @07:25PM
Oh, it is to a point. Envelopes are photographed front and back. That's been going on for quite a while. But the technology to read what's in an envelope without opening it is a long way away. And there are low-tech ways of ensuring that an envelope is not opened without it being detected. Ever heard of Scotch tape? It cannot be removed without damaging the envelope in some way.
It's really quite a simple choice: Life, Death, or Los Angeles.
(Score: 2) by Geotti on Tuesday March 17 2015, @03:58AM
Ever heard of Scotch tape? It cannot be removed without damaging the envelope in some way.
Hope you're not betting too much money on that one. Temperature changes (heating/freezing) is one of the simpler solutions.
(Score: 2) by mendax on Tuesday March 17 2015, @04:52AM
Well, I read about the use of scotch tape for that purpose in a book written by an MI5 spook about 30 years ago. Perhaps it depends upon the brand. I still have the book but I'm not likely to read it again any time soon.
It's really quite a simple choice: Life, Death, or Los Angeles.
(Score: 2) by wantkitteh on Tuesday March 17 2015, @05:05AM
Something along these lines would be good: Label Lock [labellock.com]