Engadget

Report: FBI forming new cyber intelligence research unit, focus on digital surveillance

Andrew Munchbach — Sat, 26 May 2012 05:46:00 EST

According to a report filed by technology site CNET, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is forming a new cyber intelligence and research unit dubbed the Domestic Communications Assistance Center (DCAC). The briefing states that the DCAC's purpose will be "to invent technology that will let police more readily eavesdrop on Internet and wireless communications" (initially focusing on VoIP services, social networks, and wireless communication mediums) . Via a prepared statement, the FBI explained that the unit's modus operandi will be to "assist federal, state and local law enforcement with electronic surveillance capabilities." Congress has appropriated over $54 million for "lawful electronic surveillance" in fiscal year 2012; the DCAC has been earmarked just north of $8 million from that pie. The Bureau's full statement is after the break.

Continue reading Report: FBI forming new cyber intelligence research unit, focus on digital surveillance

Report: FBI forming new cyber intelligence research unit, focus on digital surveillance originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 05:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New DVD anti-piracy warning now packs double the nag

Mat Smith — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:46:00 EST

Starting this week, you'll find any newly-minted DVDs and Blu-ray discs will now include a similarly fresh anti-piracy message. Homeland Security's special agent badge now partners up with the FBI's own emblem on the new warning played before DVDs -- and it looks like it'll still be unskippable. If this dynamic duo isn't enough to scare into legitimate media consumption, how about another warning screen to really bring it on home? This one features the National Intellectual Property Center, which follows the same "piracy is bad" message, offering a helpful link as to why -- one we're sure you're going to investigate in the middle of movie night. Interestingly, these new screens themselves are still not in the public domain and only the major US movie studios are authorized to use them. No news yet on whether the authorities plan to include another screen explaining this, but you can check that second warning ~~that you'll soon be yelling at~~ right after the break.

Continue reading New DVD anti-piracy warning now packs double the nag

New DVD anti-piracy warning now packs double the nag originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 16:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Screen Grabs: Are agents on Fringe flashing their Google Wallet?

James Trew — Sun, 06 May 2012 08:54:00 EST

Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dot com.

We're not sure exactly what the FBI's standard issue kit consists of, but we imagine it has more than a few bits of secret tech. These screen grabs from this week's Fringe, however, would have us believe that the rogue agents like to pick up their tabs with what looks like Google Wallet. We can clearly see a Sprint-branded Galaxy Nexus being used to for a not-so-undercover financial transaction. At least it looks like the agents might have had an upgrade since we last saw them around these parts.

Update: As many of you have pointed out, there was something wrong with our own intel on this case, and it wasn't one of the agents using the service. Perhaps the bureau isn't comfortable with e-wallets just yet.

[Thanks, Te-je]

Continue reading Screen Grabs: Are agents on Fringe flashing their Google Wallet?

Screen Grabs: Are agents on Fringe flashing their Google Wallet? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 May 2012 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

FBI reportedly pressing for backdoor access to Facebook, Google

Jon Fingas — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:18:00 EST

Investigators at the FBI supposedly aren't happy that social networks like Facebook or Google+ don't have the same kind of facility for wiretaps that phones have had for decades. If claimed industry contacts for CNET are right, senior staff at the bureau have floated a proposed amendment to the 1994-era Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) that would require that communication-based websites with large user bases include a backdoor for federal agents to snoop on suspects. It would still include the same requirement for a court order as for phone calls, even if US carriers currently enjoy immunity for cooperating with any warrantless wiretapping. As might be expected, technology firms and civil liberties advocates like the Electronic Frontier Foundation object to deepening CALEA's reach any further, and Apple is thought to be preemptively lobbying against another definition of the law that might require a government back channel for audiovisual chat services like FaceTime or Skype. The FBI didn't explicitly confirm the proposal when asked, but it did say it was worried it might be "going dark" and couldn't enforce wiretaps.

[Image credit: David Drexler, Flickr]

FBI reportedly pressing for backdoor access to Facebook, Google originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 May 2012 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Top LulzSec members arrested, group leader reportedly acted as informant

Donald Melanson — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:57:00 EST

The LulzSec hacking group may have officially called it quits last June, but that doesn't mean it was able to escape the eye of law enforcement. As Fox News reports, today saw three group members arrested and two more charged with conspiracy -- a move that one FBI official described as "chopping off the head of LulzSec." What's more, it's reported that group leader "Sabu," now identified as 28-year-old Hector Xavier Monsegur, was acting as an informant for the FBI since he was first caught and secretly arrested in June of last year (around the time the group disbanded). Court documents unsealed today also show that Monsegur has pleaded guilty to carrying out attacks on companies like MasterCard and PayPal, and that he's been charged with 12 criminal counts of conspiracy. The full indictments against the group's members can be found at the Gizmodo link below, and the FBI's press release can be found after the break.

Continue reading Top LulzSec members arrested, group leader reportedly acted as informant

Top LulzSec members arrested, group leader reportedly acted as informant originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

FBI deactivates about 3,000 GPS tracking devices, loses sight of your car

Sean Buckley — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:41:00 EST

Following a January ruling by the US Supreme Court, the FBI has deactivated some 3,000 GPS units that were potentially infringing on the Fourth Amendment. The decision seems to be making waves in the U.S. Justice Department. Andrew Weissmann, FBI General Counsel, says some of the devices have been difficult to retrieve, as the vehicles they were once tracking now move undetected. The FBI has sought temporary permission to reactivate some of the devices to locate and retrieve the hardware. Weissmann says the FBI is also developing new guidelines regarding the legality of its agent's actions -- from the application and use of tracking devices, to the extent a suspect's garbage can be searched before the agent is committing trespass. In short, the FBI is working really hard not to violate your legal right to privacy. If you happen to find something weird under you car, give 'em a call. They'd probably like it back.

FBI deactivates about 3,000 GPS tracking devices, loses sight of your car originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Carrier IQ issues lengthy report on data collection practices, sticks to its guns

Amar Toor — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:57:00 EST

After having already tried to explain itself with metaphor, Carrier IQ is now taking its floundering PR campaign back to basics, with an ostensibly thorough primer on its practices and a slightly less convoluted defense of its privacy standards. This morning, the controversial analytics firm released a lengthy, 19-page document that attempts to explain "what Carrier IQ does and does not do." In the report, titled "Understanding Carrier IQ Technology," the company explains the benefit it offers to its clientele of network operators, many of whom rely upon Carrier IQ's diagnostic data to make sure their infrastructure is up to snuff. It also provides a breakdown of how it collects data, as well as a defense against Trevor Eckhart's findings, though, as you'll see, these arguments likely won't put this saga to bed anytime soon. Read more, after the break.

Continue reading Carrier IQ issues lengthy report on data collection practices, sticks to its guns

Carrier IQ issues lengthy report on data collection practices, sticks to its guns originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Man on vacation confused for a Russian spy, almost restarts cold war

James Trew — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:35:00 EST

Threats of Russian espionage can come from the unlikeliest of sources, as Jim Mimlitz, owner of Navionics Research, a small integrator firm, knows only too well. Curran Gardner Public Water District, just outside of Springfield, Illinois, employed Mimlitz's firm to set up its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system (SCADA), and the spy games began when Mimlitz went on vacation in Russia. While there, he logged into the SCADA system to check some data, then logged off and went back to enjoying Red Square and the finest vodka mother Russia has to offer.

However, five months later a Curran Gardner water pump fails, and an IT contractor eyeballing the logs spots the Russian-based IP address. Fearing stolen credentials, he passes the info up the chain of command to the Environmental Protection Agency (as it governs the water district) without bothering to contact Mimlitz, whose name was in the logs next to the IP address. The EPA then passed along the paranoia to a joint state and federal terrorism intelligence center, which issued a report stating that SCADA had been hacked. Oh boy. A media frenzy followed bringing all the brouhaha to Mimlitz's attention. After speaking with the FBI, the massive oversight was identified, papers were shuffled, and everyone went about their day. So, next time you delete all your company's e-mail, or restart the wrong server, remember: at least you didn't almost start World War III. Tap the source link for the full story.

[Image courtesy Northackton]

Man on vacation confused for a Russian spy, almost restarts cold war originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

DoJ: Stingray cellphone tracking device falls under Fourth Amendment, but don't ask about it

Amar Toor — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:44:00 EST

In 2008, federal authorities arrested David Daniel Rigmaiden on charges of spearheading a massive identity theft ring in Arizona. Rigmaiden allegedly led this operation from January 2005 to April 2008, harvesting some $4 million off of more than 1,900 fraudulent tax returns. He was ultimately nabbed, however, thanks in part to controversial, and somewhat mysterious tool known as a "stingray" -- a device that effectively acts as a fake cell tower, allowing authorities to locate and track a cellphone even when it's not being used to place a call. Since his arrest, the 30-year-old Rigmaiden has been battling the feds in the U.S. District Court of Arizona, on allegations that their tracking tactics constituted an unlawful search and seizure, thereby violating his Fourth Amendment rights. For more than a year, the Department of Justice has maintained that the use of stingrays does not violate the Fourth Amendment. When it comes to sending data from a mobile device, the DoJ has argued, users should not have a "reasonable expectation" of privacy. Recently, though, the judge overseeing the case has indicated that he will press the feds for more information on how stingrays actually work -- something the government clearly has no desire to disclose. Prosecutors are so reluctant, in fact, that they may be willing to sacrifice their case against Rigmaiden in order to safeguard the stingray's secrecy. Read more about the latest developments, after the break.

Continue reading DoJ: Stingray cellphone tracking device falls under Fourth Amendment, but don't ask about it

DoJ: Stingray cellphone tracking device falls under Fourth Amendment, but don't ask about it originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

FBI's Child ID app helps iPhone users find their missing children

Amar Toor — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 05:11:00 EST

The FBI has just released its very first mobile app, aimed at helping parents deal with their worst nightmare -- a missing child. Known as Child ID, the application allows users to store their kid's photos and identifying information directly on their handsets, making it easier to provide authorities with vital data whenever the little one disappears. Parents can also use the tool to dial 911 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children with the tap of a button, and can instantly e-mail their child's details to law enforcement officials, thanks to a dedicated tab. Of course, some may feel uncomfortable with keeping such personal information stored on a smartphone, but the Bureau insists that none of the data will be collected or shared without authorization -- and they're pretty good at keeping secrets. For now, Child ID is available only for iPhone, though the FBI plans to expand it to other mobile devices in the near future. Interested iOS users can download it for themselves, at the iTunes link below.

FBI's Child ID app helps iPhone users find their missing children originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 05:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Two arrested for iPad security breach

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:07:00 EST

Two arrests have been made connected to the security breach that exposed thousands of iPad users' email addresses and other info last year. Daniel Spitler and Andrew Auernheimer (yeah, that guy again) have been taken into custody and charged with conspiracy to access a computer without authorization and fraud, for allegedly using a custom script (built by Spitler) called iPad 3G Account Slurper to access AT&T's servers, mimic an iPad 3G, and try out random ICC identifiers. Once a valid ICC was found, one could harvest the user's name and email address. Of course, the hackers maintain that this was all done to force AT&T to close a major security flaw, and we'll be interested to see what exactly the company does to make things right.

Two arrested for iPad security breach originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

FBI charges 23-year old Russian in Mega-D spambot investigation

Laura June — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:43:00 EST

If you recall, last year it was revealed that up to 35 percent of the world's spam could spring from one source: a bot known as Mega-D. According to FBI files acquired by The Smoking Gun, the bot infected over half a million computers and could sent ten billion pieces of spam per day. According to the files, an ongoing investigation targets a 23-year old Russian man named Oleg Nikolaenko, who is suspected of violating the anti-spam law. Two people have previously been charged with felony conspiracy for the spam assault -- which sold fake Rolexes and herbal stimulants -- both of whom seemingly pointed the finger at Nikolaenko as the actual transmitter. The Mega-D bot was shut down last year by FireEye network security after identifying it as a mega-source of spam. While it's back up and running today, it is only a shadow of its former self. Nikolaenko appeared in federal court in Wisconsin on Friday, was formally charged and entered a 'not guilty' plea.

[Image credit: M86 Security Labs]

FBI charges 23-year old Russian in Mega-D spambot investigation originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Webcam-spying school district settles out of court, FBI declines to press charges

Joseph L. Flatley — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 07:53:00 EST

Looks like the Lower Merion School District will be paying off kids who got zinged by its laptop tracking program -- to the tune of some $610,000. As you might recall, there was quite a bit of hubbub earlier this year when students discovered that their school issued computers tended to activate their webcams and shoot the photos back to administrators. Apparently the FBI has decided not to bring any charges in the case after all, and the various families of the students settled with the school district out of court. And yes, the schools have discontinued the tracking program.

Webcam-spying school district settles out of court, FBI declines to press charges originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 07:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

American student finds GPS tracker stuck to car, FBI shows up to reclaim its 'federal property'

Tim Stevens — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:16:00 EST

Mechanics spot strange things stuck under cars all the time, but when 20-year-old Yasir Afifi's ride was put up on lifts his shop found something that hadn't been kicked up from the road: a cylindrical tube connected to a device with an antenna. An extremely paranoid person would think they'd found a bomb, but the truth isn't much better. It was an FBI tracking device. Afifi posted pictures and his story on Reddit while a friend contemplated cunning things to do with it, sticking it to someone else's car or selling it on Craigslist. They didn't have long to ponder long before two "sneaky-looking" people were spotted outside his apartment. Afifi got in his car and drove off, only to be pulled over by FBI agents who demanded the device back, threatening "We're going to make this much more difficult for you if you don't cooperate."

Now, we've already given our opinions on using GPS technology like this and, while it's unknown whether these agents had a warrant to place this device, the 9th US Court of Appeals recently made one unnecessary for this sort of thing. The ACLU is working with Afifi to fight that ruling, and for now we're hoping that he, who is an American with an Egyptian father, is currently able to hit the town without agents following his every move. However, at this point they may not need a tracker: one agent who retrieved the device took the time to list off his favorite restaurants and even congratulated him on his new job.

American student finds GPS tracker stuck to car, FBI shows up to reclaim its 'federal property' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple supply manager arrested for wire fraud, money laundering

Sean Hollister — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:33:00 EST

Ever wonder why -- after years of secrecy -- camera-ready iPod cases began rolling out? The answer could possibly be Apple supply manager Paul Shin Devine, who was just fingered by the FBI and IRS as a fraudulent, money laundering mole. Devine was arrested Friday for allegedly receiving kickbacks from six accessory suppliers in exchange for confidential information, which apparently gave them an edge in negotiating Apple contracts. "The alleged scheme used an elaborate chain of U.S. and foreign bank accounts and one front company to receive payments," reports the San Jose Mercury News, "and code words like 'sample' were used to refer to the payments so that Apple co-workers wouldn't become suspicious." Though we're not yet sure what specific confidential information might have been passed along and we doubt the indictment will say, a separate civil suit filed by Apple claims Devine accepted over $1 million in "payments, kickbacks and bribes" over the course of several years.

Apple supply manager arrested for wire fraud, money laundering originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Alleged Russian spies used WiFi and pre-paid cellphones, got caught anyways

Joseph L. Flatley — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:29:00 EST

Are the new crop of Russian spies nerds like us? We doubt it (we probably have more in common with Lil Wayne than a certain "Anna Chapman," if that is her real name). How do they do their dirty work, then? Apparently their kit is mostly off-the-shelf: including laptops and flash memory cards. According to the FBI, two of the recently accused perps would meet at a coffee shop in Manhattan every Wednesday, where one would sit inside, while they other passed by in a van. When in range, they would connect over WiFi and transfer encrypted communications over their network. (The FBI was able to sniff this out using commercial software. Had they used ultra-wideband radio, however, the investigator's task would probably have been all but impossible). It's also believed that the spies used pre-paid cellphones to communicate. One such unit, purchased by Chapman, had the following listed for her address: 99 Fake Street. It just goes to show you that all the gadgetry in the world will not protect you from your lack of common sense.

Alleged Russian spies used WiFi and pre-paid cellphones, got caught anyways originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

AT&T hacker's home raided, drugs found, dude detained (update)

Vlad Savov — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 06:34:00 EST

Man, one day you have the whole world's ear to talk about slack network security, and the next you're in the joint. Andrew Auernheimer, Goatse Security's hacker-in-chief and a key player in the unearthing of a major security flaw exposing iPads surfing AT&T's airwaves, is today facing felony charges for possession of a variety of potent drugs. That wouldn't be such intriguing news by itself, but the discovery was made by local law enforcers who were in the process of executing an FBI search warrant. Hey, wasn't the FBI going to look into this security breach? Yes indeedy. While nobody is yet willing to identify the reasons behind this warrant, it's not illogical to surmise that Andrew's crew and their online exploits were the cause for the raid. So there you have it folks, it's the first bit of advice any publicist will give you: if you're gonna step out into the glaring light of public life, you'd better clean out your closet first.

Update: Before y'all get in an uproar about "white hacker this" and "Police State that," let's keep in mind that this Andrew Auernheimer character (a.k.a. "Weev") is one unsavory dude (not to mention a raving anti-Semite): check out this New York Times piece on Internet Trolls if you don't believe us. After all, it's not really a stretch that law enforcement might be after someone who's in possession of ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, and various other pharmaceuticals.

AT&T hacker's home raided, drugs found, dude detained (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 06:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

AT&T sends apology email to customers affected by iPad 3G security breach

Nilay Patel — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:47:00 EST

Good news if you're one of the 114,000 iPad 3G owners whose email address was uncovered by hackers spoofing the AT&T ICC database the other day -- AT&T is very, very sorry, and it's written you a nice email to make it all better. Ma Bell says the "hackers deliberately went to great efforts with a random program," which is pretty funny -- we can only imagine the damage insincere hackers making a half-hearted effort with a non-random program could have done. In any event, AT&T says the hole's been patched, that it's working with law enforcement to figure out who's liable, and promises that it takes your privacy seriously. Yes, it's all very nice -- although we're sure affected customers would much rather hear that they're being comped a free month of service. Full email after the break.

[Thanks, Brad]

Continue reading AT&T sends apology email to customers affected by iPad 3G security breach

AT&T sends apology email to customers affected by iPad 3G security breach originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

FBI steps in to investigate iPad security breach

Ross Miller — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:00:00 EST

You might recall yesterday's news that a little trickery into AT&T's systems brought about the breach of 114,000 Apple iPad-owning email addresses. Now it seems the FBI has taken an interest in the case and has launched an investigation into the "potential cyber threat" of the snafu. As far as we know and have seen, the hackers were able to obtain just email addresses, although with that comes the knowledge that the victims in question own iPad 3Gs and don't mind AT&T's service -- don't click on any odd billing statements if you were affected. As stated previously, the carrier has subsequently apologized and proverbially "plugged the hole" from which the info was obtained. Not sure anything will come of this inquiry, but we'll let you know what we hear.

FBI steps in to investigate iPad security breach originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spying school district update: turned on webcams 42 times, FBI isn't sure that's legal

Tim Stevens — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:24:00 EST

Remember the Pennsylvania school district that was accused of remotely flipping on the webcams of students' laptops? As if the civil suit filed on behalf of those students wasn't going to be enough trouble for the Lower Merion representatives, now it seems the FBI wants to know just what's going on, launching an investigation into the practice. For its part the district said that it remotely activated the cams 42 times, and that it only did so with the bestest of intentions: when trying to locate a missing laptop. It would also like to point out that only two employees had the power to flip the switch, and that they only captured images -- never sound. Because, you know, surreptitiously watching your kids is so much less menacing when there's no audio involved.

Spying school district update: turned on webcams 42 times, FBI isn't sure that's legal originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

District attorney on trial for building monster gaming rig with state money

Joshua Topolsky — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:12:00 EST

A district attorney in Rockwall County, Dallas, is under scrutiny from the FBI due to a PC he built as a backup server -- using office money. Ray Sumrow claims he was using the system for business, but the "server" actually seems to be a tricked out gaming rig, featuring two hard drives, seven fans, high end graphics and sound cards, WiFi, and cables which "glow under ultraviolet light." Rod Gregg, the FBI examiner on the case says, "I would not configure a backup computer in that way," and added, "When I saw that, I did not think of anything related to a government agency." Charges of forgery, theft, and records tampering have been made against Mr. Sumrow due to his use of the district attorney's "fee fund," which is meant to be used for office supplies or employee salaries. Testimony will take place through the week, and prosecutors expect to hear how it was imperative to Mr. Sumrow's legal work that he, "Frag the crap out of dudes."

[Via Penny Arcade]

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming

District attorney on trial for building monster gaming rig with state money originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

FBI rolling out digital billboards in 20 cities

Evan Blass — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:57:00 EST

Employing public signage in the pursuit of suspects is probably about as old as criminology itself, so it's no surprise to see the FBI leveraging the latest technology to erect some of the largest, most versatile wanted posters in history. Thanks to a partnership with advertising giant Clear Channel Outdoor, the G-men will deploy some 150 digital billboards -- capable of displaying fugitives, missing children, or public safety info in real-time -- to 20 major cities around the country, following a successful trial launched in Philadelphia in September. So if you're planning on committing a felony in Des Moines, Iowa or Akron, Ohio soon, better get it done quick, lest your ugly mug become the talk of the car pool during your morning commute. List of all the lucky cities after the break.

[Via Slashdot]

Continue reading FBI rolling out digital billboards in 20 cities

Filed under: Displays

FBI rolling out digital billboards in 20 cities originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

FBI amassing largest face, fingerprint, palm database in the world

Ryan Block — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:52:00 EST

Merry Christmas, American public! Reuters is reporting that FBI is moving ahead with its plan to spend a billion US taxpayer dollars on what it calls the Next Generation Identification system, which it aims to make the largest biometrics cache in the world. Because really, what could possibly go wrong in letting the government collect records of everyone's faces, fingerprints, and palm patterns (what, no retinal scans?) and even collude with private employers to automatically collect and add all the biometric data amassed during potential employees' criminal background checks? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Obviously.

P.S. -The only other document on NGI we were able to immediately turn up appears to come from 2006, and it doesn't like the same that Reuters is referring to. [Warning: PDF link]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

FBI amassing largest face, fingerprint, palm database in the world originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Passengers evacuate plane after finding ownerless cellphone

Darren Murph — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:31:00 EST

Just in case last month's airport scare wasn't enough, today we're finding that an Alaska Airlines flight from San Jose was evacuated upon landing "after a passenger found an unclaimed cell phone tucked in his seat." Both the FBI and Port of Seattle police eventually concluded that the mobile "posed no safety threat," but apparently, it was worth looking into. When found, the handset "appeared to have been taken apart, put back together and shoved into the seat," but after all was said and done, no humans were injured, other flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were only delayed for about ten minutes and some poor soul is wishing he / she had opted for that cellphone insurance back in the day.

[Via SlashPhone]

Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation

Passengers evacuate plane after finding ownerless cellphone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Passengers evacuate plane after finding ownerless cellphone

Darren Murph — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Misc

Passengers evacuate plane after finding ownerless cellphone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

'Speed' in a grocery store? FBI investigates telecommuting robbers

Evan Blass — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:31:00 EST

High-tech foreign criminals may have hacked into retail security systems in order to remotely monitor customers and employees in the course of at least 12 bold robberies in as many states during the past week, officials say. FBI agents are seeking an individual or group of conspirators who have been calling stores and banks from Texas to Kansas to Rhode Island on pre-paid, overseas cellphones and informing whomever picks up that a bomb will be detonated at the location if funds are not wired to a specific offshore account. What's more, the caller claims to have visual surveillance of the premises and proceeds to give certain accurate details about the environment -- in one case attempting to get a hostage to cut off another's fingers, and in another forcing everyone in the store to strip naked. CNN is reporting that at least $13,000 has been extorted so far -- though the total is likely much higher -- and that investigators are now pursuing a suspect in Portugal "who appears to be linked to the account number" that the money is being transferred to.

Read- CNN
Read- KPHO

[Via Slashdot]

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

'Speed' in a grocery store? FBI investigates telecommuting robbers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

FBI adds Iomega hard drive to most wanted list

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:08:00 EST

Have you seen this drive? The FBI -- you know, the people in charge of your "permanent record" -- is offering up to $25,000 for information leading to the return of a missing "Iomega hard drive." Apparently, the drive contains personal information on "at least a half-million people." It was reported missing from the Birmingham, Alabama Veterans Administration Medical Center where it was used by an employee in medical research to backup data. That's right, medical research. So if you've seen the drive then by all means, let us know. We don't want the reward, we're just curious about the super-soldier hallucinogens developed by the VA's hippy chemists back in the late 60s... that's all.

[Thanks, Chris]

Filed under: Storage

FBI adds Iomega hard drive to most wanted list originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

FBI taps cellphone mics to eavesdrop on criminals

Darren Murph — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 21:38:00 EST

While we figured the NYPD could just install Magic Message Mirrors in every mafia hotspot in the Manhattan area, the Genovese family has proven quite the eagle-eyed bunch when it comes to spotting wiretaps, tailing, and other (failed) attempts of bugging their conversations. In order to tap into critical conversations by known mafioso and other, less glamorous criminals, police are utilizing a "roving bug" technique which remotely activates the microphone of a crime lord's cellie, giving the boys in blue convenient access to their secret agenda(s). The presumably controversial tapping was recently approved by top US DoJ officials "for use against members of a New York organized crime family who were wary of conventional surveillance techniques." Software hacks (and actual phones, too) have previously allowed such dodgy eavesdropping to occur, with "Nextel, Samsung, and Motorola" handsets proving particularly vulnerable, but this widespread approach in tracking down criminal conversations could hopefully pinpoint future targets where prior attempts failed. Of course, if mafia members hit the internet every now and then, they're probably removing those batteries right about now anyway.

Filed under: Cellphones

FBI taps cellphone mics to eavesdrop on criminals originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Dec 2006 21:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fugitive's Skype call leads to his arrest

Cyrus Farivar — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 14:02:00 EST

Here's a tip for all you privacy freaks out there: Skype isn't nearly as secure as you might think. Just ask Kobi Alexander, wanted by the Feds on charges of financial fraud, who was ~~nabbed~~ found by a private investigator earlier this week. Moshe Buller, the private investigator who's been trying to locate Alexander, tracked him down when Alexander's Skype call was traced to a computer in Sri Lanka. Alexander, the former CEO of the scandal-ridden Comverse, had been on the lam from U.S. authorities for a few weeks, and at one point his mugshot graced the website of the FBI. But fear not security-mongers, our friends at Ars link to a year-old study out from George Mason University that says that VoIP can be secured. Or not.

Update: Ryan points out in the comments that Bloomberg News is reporting that Alexander may have left Sri Lanka before actually being arrested.

Update 2: We traded emails with the Bloomberg News reporter, Jonathan Ferziger, who's been following the case, and who told us that Alexander was not arrested, according to Sri Lankan police spokesman Rienzi Perera. Ferziger added that Moshe Buller, the private investigator who's been on the case, "presumably knows where he went, although he hasn't said so publicly."

[Via Ars Technica]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Fugitive's Skype call leads to his arrest originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Aug 2006 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

FBI seizes 20,000 CyberHome DVD players

Paul Miller — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 11:59:00 EST

It's all fun and games until the FBI comes a knocking. CyberHome USA of Fremont, CA just had more than 20,000 of their CyberHome-branded DVD players seized from a warehouse by a task force which included local, state and federal agencies. Turns out they've neglected royalty payments to Philips, to the tune of millions of dollars. Their DVD players and other consumer tech is sold through outlets such as Amazon, Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's, Target and Wal-Mart, and they happen to be "one of the world's largest manufacturers and importers of DVD devices." California has laws on the books that provide for up to three years in prison and fines up to $500,000 for dealing with more than 1,000 items bearing a counterfeit mark, which CyberHome seems to have been doing in spades ever since Philips revoked their license. The players were loaded onto eight tractor-trailers, and are worth an estimated $2 million at retail. We're not exactly sure what the police plan to do with all that tech, but we're sure it'll involve a lot of "Starsky & Hutch - The Complete Second Season."

Filed under: Home Entertainment

FBI seizes 20,000 CyberHome DVD players originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jun 2006 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments