...and spies like it, too.

The Spy Video Car is a remote-controlled toy car equipped with an image sensor attached to its body and monocular eyewear to be worn by a user. A camera mounted on the front of the car sends an image wirelessly to the eyewear, which enables the user to drive the car in light or darkness up to 75 feet away. The Spy Video Car allows children to enjoy the "real life" perspective of driving from inside the car or to play secret agent with night-vision capabilities.

The display we use for our Spy Video Car is small and sharp and, unlike larger remote-mounted monitors, it ensures that no one other than the main viewer sees the secrets the car uncovers," said Katie Broughton, design engineer at Wild Planet. "As the first toy car with the night vision capability, the Spy Video Car allows children to navigate secretly in darkness and see clearly without being detected. (more) (video)

FamilyFun T.O.Y. 2006 Grand Prize Winner... Teach your children well

Hype versus reality in VoIP security

Voice over IP, like many new technologies, suffers from having security as an afterthought. Headlines tell of VOIP vulnerabilities that can lead to eavesdropping, a new form of spam, even denial-of-service attacks that can take down the one communication network that businesses rely on most.

Lawrence Orans, a research director with Gartner, says some of these threats are overblown and aren't likely to happen in a corporate setting. Frank Dzubeck, president of Communications Network Architects, which analyzes the industry, believes that given the lack of security built into IP, anything can happen. Network World Senior Editor Cara Garretson spoke with both, aiming to separate hype from reality. (more)

(On the topic of eavesdropping both say it is overhyped. However, both cover their rears and say encryption should be used anyway. Hummmm.)

More denials from Thailand's Telecoms

Shin Satellite Plc has denied the interim government's allegations of phone bugging via satellite, saying it does not have the technology to facilitate such an act. However, tapping of satellite phones could be possible if a device was installed in the equipment of both the sender and the receiver, said Shin Satellite president Nongluck Phinainitisart.

Dr Nongluck yesterday clarified how satellite-controlled operations worked, and denied any knowledge of spying.

"In practice, tapping conversations from a satellite needs a large satellite dish launched in orbit to tap the signal between the sender and the receiver. But it's still very difficult to pinpoint exact signals," she said.

Dr Nongluck reiterated that Shin Satellite had never bugged communications, as such an action would be a violation of the law and an abuse of codes of conduct. It also required the installation of eavesdropping devices, which needed a licence. (more)

(for sale...)

Richie Rich, Paper Boy

News carriers and retailers in Worcester, Mass., get an unexpected bonus with their usual shipment of the Telegram & Gazette: the credit and debit card numbers of 240,000 subscribers to the paper and its sister publication the Boston Globe, both owned by the New York Times Co.

The security breach is the result of a recycling program in which paper from the Telegram & Gazette's business office is reused to wrap bundles of newspapers. (more)

Wiretappers Don't Always Eavesdrop

UK - Sophisticated criminal gangs are finding ways to beat the chip and PIN security regime, including bugging cash machines with MP3 players, to bring in millions of pounds. ...

The bugging of cash machines with an MP3 player was master-minded by 41-year-old computer expert Maxwell Parsons, from Gorton, Manchester. He secretly attached portable MP3 players at the back of freestanding ATMs in bars, bingo halls and bowling alleys so he could illegally tap into telephone lines used by customers during transactions.

As bank details and PIN numbers were punched in, data was recorded onto Parsons' MP3 players as it was transmitted down phone lines. He then used computer technology to "translate" the tones from the transactions and used the stolen data to clone new credit cards. (more)

Quote of the Day

"Employees can and should absolutely participate in industry events. However, it must be made clear to them that if trade secrets or corporate strategy is revealed, they can be fired." ~ Denny Hatch, Business Common Sense (more)

Spybuster's Mythbuster #423 - Shotgun Mics

Contrary to popular belief, shotgun microphones do not pick up sounds over long distances. They are made to focus on a small area and reject unwanted sounds coming in from other angles. Holding a paper towel roll to you ear has a similar effect. The usual working distance for a shotgun microphone is 3-6 feet from the sound source. (more)

It is actually the parabolic microphone which is associated with eavesdropping. (more)

FutureWatch - TESSbots

Some day we will have TESSbots (Technical Electroinc Surveillance Sensor robots); micro robots with the capability to detect electronic eavesdropping devices. Imagine armies of them auto-activating at the end of every work day; specifically tasked to find illegal and covert bugs and wiretaps within corporations and government agencies. Other bots will be doing other jobs as well, of course. This wall-climbing bot is getting the mechanics of scouring settled now. The sensor part will follow... (video)

More... iPhone, Espionage or Coincidence?

You decide!

Introducing...
A Chinese version of the iPhone!?!?

(via Dapreview.net)
Supposedly, Meizu has a new PMP in the works - the M8 - bearing a strong resemblance to the Apple iPhone in both form and function. The pics are probably nothing more than concept art, but then again, we wouldn't be surprised if they were close to the mark. Meizu has a history of borrowing design elements from Apple, as with the M6.

VoIP security: Scenarios, challenges, and counter measures

VoIP combines the worst security vulnerabilities of IP networks and voice networks. This article discusses vulnerabilities, challenges and countermeasures in securing a VoIP network from the application right down to the hardware. ...

Eavesdropping
Eavesdropping is the intercepting of conversations by unintended recipients. Eavesdropping in VoIP requires intercepting the signal and associated media streams of a conversation. No one argues that an attacker cannot access and install a tap on a telephone pair outside your house. That action, however, requires more visibility and explicit laws prohibit eavesdropping. IP eavesdropping can be accomplished from the comfort of a laptop as long as the tools and expertise exist to carry out the attack successfully.

Ethereal, Ettercap, Vomit represent just some of the software available that is used for media capture. Using the software is as simple as capturing and decoding RTP packets, analyzing sessions and then saving the the captured voice as an audio file (.au). This is based on the fundamental that every header of an RTP packet contains information about the codec used to encode voice samples. The codec used is generally a standard one, which allows the software to decode the RTP packet, and thus the audio data. Thus, an entire conversation can be tapped. (more)

The Silent Guardian™ protection system

(give us your best Elvis)
Ooh, ooh, ooh,
I feel my temperature rising
Help me, I'm flaming
I must be a hundred n' nine
Burning, burning, burning
And nothing can cool me
I just might turn into smoke
But I feel fine (more) (video)

Describe the future of eavesdropping...

Mind reading, of course!

(from hack247.co.uk)
Hitachi Develops Mind Reading System Hitachi Electronics Advanced Research Labs have developed a system that can read peoples minds, albeit in a very primitive way.

It works by flooding the brain with near infra-red rays which are harmless but allow the system to measure blood flow in the frontal lobe areas. This blood flow changes in response to a persons thoughts and this change can be measured and interpreted as images which can in turn be used to trigger electrical devices.

They admit their ‘optical-topography’ system is in the early stages but hope to use it to develop remote control systems for disabled people, allowing them to control wheelchairs and other aids using only their minds.

They plan to develop the system into a usable application by 2011. (more)

Spy on Birds

"Motion sensing digital camera enables you to capture those difficult close-up images of birds in their natural environment without disturbing their activities. [assuming this butt-ugly, Martian-ish bird box doesn't scare them to death] Images are easily stored on standard SD memory cards. Fully automatic digital camera designed especially for backyard birders. Great for capturing impromptu images of birds visiting bird feeders, bird houses and bird baths." [Ok modders, do your best.] (more)

I spied on Dell for HP

A former Hewlett-Packard executive has cited the computer and printer giant's recent board-spying scandal in his suit against the company, claiming HP used similar fraudulent methods to obtain his private phone records in August 2005 after giving him a corporate espionage assignment to obtain trade secrets on rival Dell's printers. ...

Experts say corporate espionage has become common as competition rampages throughout industries, but there have been few cases made public.(more)

UK reporter faces jail for royal phone bugging

UK - A senior journalist on Britain's biggest-selling newspaper hacked into the mobile telephones of members of the royal household 'several hundred' times, a London court heard.

The News of the World's royal affairs editor Clive Goodman listened to voice mail messages left for the press secretary of heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and also for two officials who worked for his sons Princes William and Harry.

Goodman, 49, and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire, 36, could face jail after admitting last November to plotting to unlawfully intercept communications.

Mulcaire also pleaded guilty to a further five charges of unlawfully intercepting voicemail messages. (more)

Job Opening - TSCM Instructor

NCI Information Systems, Inc. (NCI), is a leading provider of information technology solutions in the Federal government arena.

TSCM Instructor (149689-598)
Description

The duties and responsibilities of this position consist of, but are not limited to:
Manage all aspects of security technology fundamentals training for Department of State Security Engineering Officers and Security Technical Specialists to include developing schedules and coordinating students, instructors, facilities, and classrooms... (more)

Jackson's Lawyer Sues Eavesdropping Jet Co.

Mark Geragos – the lawyer who was secretly videotaped while accompanying his client Michael Jackson on a flight from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara to surrender to child molestation charges – is suing the jet company for an alleged invasion of privacy. ...

Geragos testified this week that the secret videotaping was one of the worst experiences of his 24 years in legal work, and he now takes extreme measures to ensure that his private conversations with clients are not secretly recorded. He testified that he has met with some clients under freeway overpasses and in hotel rooms, and twice sent a colleague overseas to discuss a case rather than have them discuss it over the phone or by e-mail. (more)

Waffle House manager arrested for camera in restrooms

GA - A Waffle House manager has been arrested after authorities say he secretly installed a camera the restaurant's bathroom.

Keith Robert Christman, 28, was arrested Tuesday on charges of felony eavesdropping and illegal surveillance after police found a wireless camera hidden in the women's restroom of the Waffle House where he worked, Villa Rica police Capt. Brian Camp said.

Camp said Christman would go into the restroom and hide a wireless camera, which was found facing the toilet, and save the images onto a computer.

The spying also took place at four other restaurants in the area, Camp said. Christman would sometimes watch a live feed of the restroom footage from his car, Camp said.
(more) (more)

Thailand government to probe eavesdropping

The Information and Communication Technology Ministry has entered the wiretapping fray, and is to set up a special committee to probe eavesdropping claims against the Singapore-owned telecoms firm Shin Corp.

"I will today authorise the creation of a special committee chaired by the ICT ministry's permanent secretary to conduct an investigation into eavesdropping," said ICT Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom.

Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin last week claimed that Singapore could be listening in to confidential calls after Temasek Holdings purchased Shin Corp last year.

Both the Singapore government and Shin Corp's mobile phone company AIS - headquartered in Thailand - have denied the allegations. (more)

UPDATE...

It is not possible to prevent eavesdropping on mobile phones because radio signals spread in the air and can be tapped anywhere, Information and Communication Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said today.

"No country in the world can prevent phone tapping," said Mr Sitthichai during an interview with Channel 11 Saturday morning. Nor is it possible to know whether one's phone is being tapped.

Mr Sitthichai suggested that government agencies encrypt conversations with so-called "voice scramblers", to prevent casual eavesdropping. (more)

Mr. Sitthichai, let me introduce you to some folks in Korea. ~ Kevin

Cell Phone Camera Insights

"In 1984, George Orwell thought we'd be forced to behave because government cameras were always watching us. Instead, we'll have to behave because every person is a spycam operator. ... Cell-cam photos are the new autograph. See a celebrity, snap a picture and post it." (more)
There is a story that American Indians thought early photography was Spirit Capture, and didn't like it. Perhaps we are learning they were right. ~ Kevin

Alleged school spying incident

GA - Boynton Elementary School has strengthened security since a 66-year-old man was arrested last week after neighbors accused him of watching the campus through binoculars. Assistant Principal Jason Carter said Catoosa County Sheriff's officers told school officials that Johnny Thomas Bennett of the Boynton community was arrested on Jan. 18 and charged with obstruction of a law enforcement officer, making false statements, carrying a concealed weapon and trespassing. (more)

The Phone Company Has Been Lying to Us for Years

...now they will help you do it with just your cell phone!

"Mobile Faker is designed to help consumers [lie] navigate the competitive social scene with ease.

Ever been at a bar and needed to look busy because some loser is giving you the eye? Schedule a Faux Call and your handset will rescue you.

Someone asked for your number, and you're afraid to tell the person you've been flirting with for two hours that you're married? Give her a Faux Number."

Additional assistance... Pick-up Lines, Rejections and a Fake Breathalyzer.

Mobile Faker is available as a JME application on Sprint Nextel under the Applications > Entertainment menu on the handset. (more)

Opie opines. Andy argues. Bug busted.

Sheriff Andy Griffith teaching Opie (Ron Howard) about the 4th amendment and the due process of law after Opie eavesdrops on a private conversation.

VoIP security barely a blip on SMBs' radar

Security is a low priority among most small and midsized businesses (SMBs), as well as vendors, when it comes to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP - Internet telephony), experts say. That will quickly change once hackers take aim, however.

As with anything, the risk [of a security breach] is theoretical risk right now," Ridolfo said. He said today it's much easier to write a virus or steal data off a file-sharing system than it is to build an exploit for VoIP.

"Does that mean someone isn't working on it right now? No," Ridolfo said. "A high-profile attack, such as a single, crucially important phone call, that will be intercepted, whether it is commercial or government. Then you'll see a bunch of those in short succession. Then there will be a big push to introduce security."

Voice is just as vulnerable to exploits as data communication, Ostrowski said, "because at the end of the day it's running over an IP network and it's 'packetized' data."

One analyst was surprised by how many SMBs said they felt VoIP was secure.(more)

News from Sweden

Bugging proposal 'enjoys support of government partners'...
When presenting his proposal on secret telephone call and e-mail monitoring, defence minister Mikael Odenberg stressed that he enjoyed the support of his government partners. (more)

Head of Sweden intelligence dies at 61...
Klas Bergenstrand, the head of Sweden's intelligence agency, died from an apparent heart attack. He was 61. (more)

Spying on employees is legal

Malta - Education minister Louis Galea has said in parliament that employment laws do not prohibit employers from installing CCTV cameras in every nook and cranny of an office to monitor employees. (more)

E. Howard Hunt, Watergate Figure, Dies at 88

E. Howard Hunt, who helped organize the Watergate break-in, leading to the greatest scandal in American political history and the downfall of Richard Nixon's presidency, died Tuesday. He was 88.

Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974. Twenty-five men were sent to prison for their involvement in the botched plan, and a new era of skepticism toward government began.

"I will always be called a Watergate burglar, even though I was never in the damn place," Hunt told The Miami Herald in 1997. "But it happened. Now I have to make the best of it." (more)

Bugging Device Found in German MP's Office

Police have found a bugging device in the office of a German MP, who is involved in investigations of the doings of the local federal intelligence.

Wolfgang Neskovic is an independent MP, who was a member of the Supreme Court before he was elected for parliament.

The commission that deals with the intelligence, and that Neskovic is a part of, will investigate the bugging case. An emergency meeting of the commission will be held next week. (more)

UPDATE...
"The German Parliament said in a statement Tuesday afternoon that after the devices were examined by the Federal Office for Security and Information Technology, "with the microphones alone, surveying, recording or forwarding the spoken word is not possible."

The devices were covered by a layer of dust that had settled atop of the lamp, pointing to the fact that the microphones had not been used for a long time."

Old spycraft tricks...
- Blow a layer of dust over an eavesdropping installation. Alters the perceived time-frame of the attack, if discovered.
- Use Hollywood special-effects cobwebs. Spray them over the opening to an installation to deter inspection.
The key question... "Why were microphones there in the first place?"
~ Kevin

Inquiry committee head Sigfried Kauder, a senior lawmaker of Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right Christian Democratic Union, said in a statement Tuesday that all members of the board have been advised to check their offices for similar devices. (more)

Now, there is some sage advice :)

UPDATE 1/26/07 (the story changes) ...officials in Berlin said the alleged bug found in the office of Wolfgang Neskovic, a leftist former judge who has demanded Steinmeier's resignation, was not a functioning one and its placement was too inept to have been the work of intelligence professionals.

The microphone of a type freely on sale was attached to a ceiling lamp and was visible, security officials said. (more)

This Day in Spy History...

Today is the 39th anniversary of North Korea's seizure of the spy ship USS Pueblo and it 83-man crew, triggering an international confrontation between the United States and North Korea in the tumultuous year of 1968. The Pueblo was a World War II-era freighter that had been outfitted as an electronic eavesdropping ship for the National Security Agency. Commissioned in May 1967 and named for the city of Pueblo, the ship was under the command of Lt. Cmdr. Lloyd "Pete" Bucher when it set out to patrol the North Korean coast in January 1968. Cutting in and out of North Korean waters while eavesdropping, the Pueblo's crew had expected to be harassed by North Korean warships but on Jan. 23, the spy ship was surrounded by patrol boats and raked with machine-gun and cannon fire. Crewman Duane Hodges was fatally wounded in the attack. (more)

Check your flip-top ring at the door...

Feel daring?
Have dinner with a spy!

An Evening with Melissa Boyle Mahle
Tuesday, 6 February; 7–10 pm

From the Reagan years through 2002, CIA intelligence officer, Melissa Boyle Mahle, ran operations against Al Qaeda terrorists, conducted missions to interrupt illicit networks plotting to sell weapons of mass destruction, and completed assignments throughout the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa as the agency’s top-ranked female Arabist. Mahle, author of Denial and Deception: An Insider’s View of the CIA, has discussed her fourteen-year tenure as a covert operative for the CIA with CNN, PBS, Jon Stewart, and now you!

Be one of only 20 guests at Zola for a three-course meal where you’ll hear the inside story on her counterterrorism operations, her views on today’s continuing intelligence challenges, and enjoy the dialogue between Mahle and former CIA chief of disguise, International Spy Museum board member, Jonna Mendez. (more)

Singapore denies bugging phones

Singapore has denied listening in on private phone conversations between Council for National Security members following remarks by CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin. ...

"As an international telecommunication hub, Singapore maintains a strict and professional operating environment to safeguard the integrity of all communications which terminate in or transit through Singapore,'' the foreign ministry said. (more)