Story 2SER WikiLeaks: German intel using weaponized surveillance malware

WikiLeaks: German intel using weaponized surveillance malware

by
Anonymous Coward
in security on (#2SER)
WikiLeaks has released previously unseen copies of weaponised German surveillance malware used by intelligence agencies around the world to spy on journalists, political dissidents and others.
"FinFisher (formerly part of the UK based Gamma Group International until late 2013) is a German company that produces and sells computer intrusion systems, software exploits and remote monitoring systems that are capable of intercepting communications and data from OS X, Windows and Linux computers as well as Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows Mobile devices. FinFisher first came to public attention in December 2011 when WikiLeaks published documents detailing their products and business in the first SpyFiles release. ...

FinFisher continues to operate brazenly from Germany selling weaponised surveillance malware to some of the most abusive regimes in the world. The Merkel government pretends to be concerned about privacy, but its actions speak otherwise. Why does the Merkel government continue to protect FinFisher? This full data release will help the technical community build tools to protect people from FinFisher including by tracking down its command and control centers."

FinFisher Relay and FinSpy Proxy are the components of the FinFisher suite responsible for collecting the data acquired from the infected victims and delivering it to their controllers. It is commonly deployed by FinFisher's customers in strategic points around the world to route the collected data through an anonymizing chain, in order to disguise the identity of its operators and the real location of the final storage, which is instead operated by the FinSpy Master."
Let's go back in time to a couple of months ago when the German government was furious to learn the US had eavesdropped on Ms. Merkel's cellphone conversations. That anger looks a bit different now, mmmm?
Reply 3 comments

I hate (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-16 18:09 (#2SFP)

that this isn't remotely surprising. But hey, spying on reporters is probably for national security reasons, right? Right guys??

Re: I hate (Score: 1)

by zafiro17@pipedot.org on 2014-09-16 19:18 (#2SFQ)

Well, it's a move straight out of the Dictator's Handbook (http://www.dictatorshandbook.net). See the chapter on Press, Media, and Communications (http://dictatorshandbook.net/book/node236.html).

I think the irony here is learning that everyone does it, and everyone is *shocked, shocked I say* to find out that others are doing it too.

Re: I hate (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-16 23:54 (#2SFT)

Australia does not spy on neighbours! And vice versa of course.