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FBI Accesses Computers Around Country to Delete Microsoft Exchange Hacks

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Re: FBI Accesses Computers Around Country to Delete Microsoft Exchange Hacks

#21

The Justice Department had to get court approval to access private servers and remove malicious software. But, why does the FBI have to do this? Why does a federal agency have to remove a software virus from private servers? There are private companies that can do this.

? A private company can't obtain a warrant for access to my hardware.

Re: FBI Accesses Computers Around Country to Delete Microsoft Exchange Hacks

#22
post #21

The Justice Department had to get court approval to access private servers and remove malicious software. But, why does the FBI have to do this? Why does a federal agency have to remove a software virus from private servers? There are private companies that can do this.

? A private company can't obtain a warrant for access to my hardware.

Technically... they can. It's the same authority which has allowed organizations like Microsoft to take over botnet C&C systems. The CFAA has specific carveouts to allow unauthorized access with a court order.

Re: FBI Accesses Computers Around Country to Delete Microsoft Exchange Hacks

#23
"The FBI obtained court approval to access vulnerable computers across the United States."

So, have you got it yet. In the interests of state security, security on your computer has been so diluted that anyone and his dog can get access to your so-called confidential records.

Re: FBI Accesses Computers Around Country to Delete Microsoft Exchange Hacks

#24
post #5

Sweet, since we now have the precedence that the FBI can invade your machine without permission whenever they want for national security reasons I can't wait the glorious future we have before us. Now the FBI can access your machine and start modifying things because you are expressing displeasure at your public officials which is a sign of "terrorist behavior", oops you're using your blog to say things the governmen…

do you have an alternative? would you feel better if it wasn't FBI? or if these remained unfixed?

Make Microsoft pay and be liable.

Re: FBI Accesses Computers Around Country to Delete Microsoft Exchange Hacks

#25

"The FBI obtained court approval to access vulnerable computers across the United States." So, have you got it yet. In the interests of state security, security on your computer has been so diluted that anyone and his dog can get access to your so-called confidential records.

But, did you really believe that sitting behind an ISP, behind a 'basic' firewall (router), running Windows OS, with its firewall, and you would be safe if the FBIs/CIAs/NSAs of this world (USA, UK, China, etc.) want to take you down.. you stand a chance?

I assume that a more extreme step would be to notify the ISPs that serve specific IPs to cut them off. But that would break a lot of other things.

Re: FBI Accesses Computers Around Country to Delete Microsoft Exchange Hacks

#26

Was there a private individual a few years ago who was doing a similar thing? Cleaning up backdoored servers?

> Was there a private individual a few years ago who was doing a similar thing? Cleaning up backdoored servers?

Do you mean Max Butler, who was given jail-time after deciding to not be an undercover FBI informant FBI anymore?

https://www.securityfocus.com/news/203

Re: FBI Accesses Computers Around Country to Delete Microsoft Exchange Hacks

#27
post #21

The Justice Department had to get court approval to access private servers and remove malicious software. But, why does the FBI have to do this? Why does a federal agency have to remove a software virus from private servers? There are private companies that can do this.

? A private company can't obtain a warrant for access to my hardware.

This is actually the new frontier in the relationship between corporations and the government. The government now allows, within certain parameters, private enforcement of public policy, if one can show damage, and the government lacks the will (or resources) for enforcement.

The theory goes, that guy is breaking the law, and it's hurting my business, but since it's low priority for the government, I'm going to start a private enforcement action. Both very ingenuous and scary at the same time.

Re: FBI Accesses Computers Around Country to Delete Microsoft Exchange Hacks

#28
post #7
post #5

Sweet, since we now have the precedence that the FBI can invade your machine without permission whenever they want for national security reasons I can't wait the glorious future we have before us. Now the FBI can access your machine and start modifying things because you are expressing displeasure at your public officials which is a sign of "terrorist behavior", oops you're using your blog to say things the governmen…

Look, in The Netherlands, the largest grocery chain ( AH, Albert Heijn, Ahold ) has empty cheese shelves because their cheese-logistics-company got hacked through this vulnerability. The Dutch, without cheese. Do you see the severity of the problem now? Jeez.

Oh every time I fly to/from/through the Netherlands I always shop this 'net' with 4-5-6 different cheese(s). Pretty pricey at the airport, but definitely worth enjoying for the following weeks!

Re: FBI Accesses Computers Around Country to Delete Microsoft Exchange Hacks

#29
Smart moves by the FBI:

The search order is set-up by a redacted URL, so we can't confirm if the servers are actually in USA. Maybe a few of these are a little bit out of FBI jurisdiction. Nobody will be allowed to check their work.

The court order begins the path of setting a legal precedent for the next time a system is determined to need "FBI patching."

Re: FBI Accesses Computers Around Country to Delete Microsoft Exchange Hacks

#30
post #7
post #5

Sweet, since we now have the precedence that the FBI can invade your machine without permission whenever they want for national security reasons I can't wait the glorious future we have before us. Now the FBI can access your machine and start modifying things because you are expressing displeasure at your public officials which is a sign of "terrorist behavior", oops you're using your blog to say things the governmen…

Look, in The Netherlands, the largest grocery chain ( AH, Albert Heijn, Ahold ) has empty cheese shelves because their cheese-logistics-company got hacked through this vulnerability. The Dutch, without cheese. Do you see the severity of the problem now? Jeez.

Every Dutchman worth his salt has his own cow and makes his own bespoke cheese. While wearing wooden shoes no less.

Don't you worry about us, there is not and will never be a cheese shortage!

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