Photos Of An NSA “Upgrade” Factory

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And they let just anyone take pictures in this super secret room?

A document included in the trove of National Security Agency files released with Glenn Greenwald’s book No Place to Hide details how the agency’s Tailored Access Operations (TAO) unit and other NSA employees intercept servers, routers, and other network gear being shipped to organizations targeted for surveillance and install covert implant firmware onto them before they’re delivered.
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So reload firmware soon as I get any network device... got it.
Wont take them long to have some sort of piggy back device that can be installed within it as well. Hell if they don't have it already, I'm disappointed in them.
 
MrValentine said:
So reload firmware soon as I get any network device... got it.
Wont take them long to have some sort of piggy back device that can be installed within it as well. Hell if they don't have it already, I'm disappointed in them.
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Yep. In fact, like any other enterprise corporation, we have to use very specific firmware versions for every piece of hardware we have to ensure everything works. We even downgrade some hardware firmware to match before implementing.

My question is: Who is the network engineer stupid enough to NOT replace firmware on any new device?
 
another classic case of "do as I say, not as I do".

You bet your ass they are doing this to US citizens - and while I'm sure there are a few domestic targets that need to be watched, you can bet whoever is pushing the buttons is watching anyone and anything it pleases, with no boundaries or punishments if they ever "cross the line".

Between every politician being a lying corrupt piece of shit, and this new age SS Gestapo, and ordinary people powerless to stop any of this crap. Really makes you wonder when the next revolution is coming.
 
This is the revolution my friend. Socialism 101, now with evolved George Orwell's 1984 stuff.
 
BBA said:
Yep. In fact, like any other enterprise corporation, we have to use very specific firmware versions for every piece of hardware we have to ensure everything works. We even downgrade some hardware firmware to match before implementing.

My question is: Who is the network engineer stupid enough to NOT replace firmware on any new device?
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it isn't always that easy, they also install actual chips into hardware, you cant just flash it out with a firmware / bios change.
 
Sickening. There needs to be a revolution against this. Sadly not enough people care about it.
 
cdr_74_premium said:
This is the revolution my friend. Socialism 101, now with evolved George Orwell's 1984 stuff.
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Socialism 101? Lol. Someone's been watching Fox News again. We're heading towards something more aligned with corporatism.

Corporatism(also known ascorporate fascismorcorporativism[1]) is the socio-political organization of a society by major interest groups, orcorporate groups, such as agricultural, business, ethnic, labour, military, patronage, or scientific affiliations, on the basis of common interests.[2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporatism
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You won't see that on Fox though, because of obvious reasons.
 
A spy organization spying?. In other news water is wet.

Meaningless story unless they say who the targets are.
 
Large scale interception and rerouting of hardware shipments for modifications is pretty much impossible to do without it being noticed. If this is even real (which it isn't since cameras are a no-no in secure facilities) then it was a small time thing that was happening for specific targets with good reasons due to the expenses associated with such a covert tasking. We can all sit here and be all shocked or we can maybe use our brain jars to think things through a little bit and get around the sensationalization of a journalist trying to drum up sales for a book by flavoring things to appeal to the criminal elements of society that don't understand and would rather gasp and act like they're horrified and then try to get others upset online.
 
Spidey329 said:
Socialism 101? Lol. Someone's been watching Fox News again. We're heading towards something more aligned with corporatism..
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What do you think socialism is. Its cutting up sectors of the economy and handing them like little fiefdoms to your friends. The 'friends' and be either internal bureaucrats in which case we call it communism or at the other end of the spectrum more like euro-socialist model to corporate friends. FCC's Wheeler was a huge Obama fund raiser and contributor. Think that is random coincidence. In return for their favors to all corners of government, Comcast & their ilk have been gifted the Cable industry with a guarantee of no competition.
 
CreepyUncleGoogle said:
Large scale interception and rerouting of hardware shipments for modifications is pretty much impossible to do without it being noticed. If this is even real (which it isn't since cameras are a no-no in secure facilities) then it was a small time thing that was happening for specific targets with good reasons due to the expenses associated with such a covert tasking. We can all sit here and be all shocked or we can maybe use our brain jars to think things through a little bit and get around the sensationalization of a journalist trying to drum up sales for a book by flavoring things to appeal to the criminal elements of society that don't understand and would rather gasp and act like they're horrified and then try to get others upset online.
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Why is it impossible? How accurate do you know are Fedex tracking, or "delayed" statuses and other couriers. it is not like they have to intercept every single server that goes to X company. All they need is 1 to get into the network and they are done.
 
MrGuvernment said:
Why is it impossible? How accurate do you know are Fedex tracking, or "delayed" statuses and other couriers. it is not like they have to intercept every single server that goes to X company. All they need is 1 to get into the network and they are done.
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Millions of pieces of network hardware travel around the planet constantly. The government doesn't have the budget to pay for security clearences, training, salaries, purchase equipment, and keep the mass rerouting of that many shipments on a regular basis. It's almost impossible for the post office not to mess up mail delivery and they do logistical junk as a sole function. The NSA has to operate quietly and below the notice of redneck John and his chewing tobacco filled pickup which demands targeted and small-scale operations at high expense for critical needs.
 
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." -- Lord Acton
 
CreepyUncleGoogle said:
Large scale interception and rerouting of hardware shipments for modifications is pretty much impossible to do without it being noticed. If this is even real (which it isn't since cameras are a no-no in secure facilities) then it was a small time thing that was happening for specific targets with good reasons due to the expenses associated with such a covert tasking. We can all sit here and be all shocked or we can maybe use our brain jars to think things through a little bit and get around the sensationalization of a journalist trying to drum up sales for a book by flavoring things to appeal to the criminal elements of society that don't understand and would rather gasp and act like they're horrified and then try to get others upset online.
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have you read any of the snowden documents? it very clearly states they've been inserting bugs into USB devices via interception of equipment... it isn't for EVERYONE, only targets... a journalist close to the leaks actually found one of his mice (or was it his keyboard, i don't remember)

they're described in detail, i suggest you take a look at the following presentation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0w36GAyZIA
 
Aren't these shipments that are intercepted are those that are being sent in-transit to subjects of interest such as terrorists, etc.? If so, then this isn't being done en masse to US citizens, but people of interest.

If you aren't a person of interest to the intelligence community, this is something you shouldn't worry about unless you do something stupid like cry wolf on Facebook or Twitter that you want to do something bad.

What you should be afraid is that they are capable of doing this.
 
Does no one config-register 0x2102 and load latest firmware?

Software beacons would or should be erased with a firmware update!
 
c0mad0r said:
Does no one config-register 0x2102 and load latest firmware?

Software beacons would or should be erased with a firmware update!
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Do you seriously believe that you can thwart an intelligence agency with a budget of $10 billion merely by flashing the firmware? You may safely assume they are fully capable of replacing the guts of a router with one that emulates to the target the entire experience of a normal network device, including the ability to flash the firmware, while retaining the agency's ability to see anything they want on that device.
 
Spidey329 said:
Socialism 101? Lol. Someone's been watching Fox News again. We're heading towards something more aligned with corporatism.

Corporatism(also known ascorporate fascismorcorporativism[1]) is the socio-political organization of a society by major interest groups, orcorporate groups, such as agricultural, business, ethnic, labour, military, patronage, or scientific affiliations, on the basis of common interests.[2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporatism

You won't see that on Fox though, because of obvious reasons.
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Corporatism is convenient word since most associate it with businesses. It's all a damn word game. All this boils down to a corrupt government, that's all. So the government has a growing influence in corporations yet it doesn't have to be the face of the corporations. And you look at the banks, auto companies, defense companies etc. all public corporations but are they really? The line between that and socialism is a fine one.
 
ok wile i support whistle blowing when NSA crosses the line THIS IS the kind of thing that should NOT be leaked as this is what NSA should be doing
gathering electronic intel from over seas
NSA's charter clearly states they will not spy on US citizens but i have no issues with them doing there job
THIS unlike what Snowden leaked compromises that mission
 
As for the NSA trying to spy on me.

Rjq2BNJ.jpg
 
CreepyUncleGoogle said:
Aren't people supposed to quote Ben Franklin out of context too about now? :p
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"In 200 years will people remember us as traitors or heros?"

"Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults."

"Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power."


I'm sure one of these will fit, depending upon your viewpoint :D
 
collegeboy69us said:
... Between every politician being a lying corrupt piece of shit, and this new age SS Gestapo, and ordinary people powerless to care about any of this crap. Really makes you wonder when the next revolution is coming.
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FTFY

(...referring to wider public, not myself)
 
MRAB54 said:
Corporatism is convenient word since most associate it with businesses. It's all a damn word game. All this boils down to a corrupt government, that's all. So the government has a growing influence in corporations yet it doesn't have to be the face of the corporations. And you look at the banks, auto companies, defense companies etc. all public corporations but are they really? The line between that and socialism is a fine one.
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Wait a minute... the reason you cry "socialism!" is that you believe the government controls the corporations?

:eek:

:confused:

:rolleyes:
 
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