XKeyscore is the NSA program in charge of deciding whose internet activity is singled out and monitored for long periods of time and, according to Tagesschau, a German news and culture site, the program's source code contains some disturbing revaluations about who it targets.
As reported by DasErste.de, the source code shows, perhaps unsurprisingly, that Tor and TAILs users are targeted for further surveillance. What is surprising is that these people are labeled as 'extremist' along with readers of the Linux Journal, a supposed 'extremist forum.'
"Merely searching the web for the privacy-enhancing software tools outlined in the XKeyscore rules causes the NSA to mark and track the IP address of the person doing the search," according to an English language follow-up article on DasErste.de. ... The source code outlines a list of variables that may be searched alongside TAILs, such as 'USB', 'CD', 'linux' or 'secure desktop.' According to the source code comments, "These variables define terms and websites relating to the TAILs (The Amnesic Incognito Live System) software program, a comsec mechanism advocated by extremists on extremist forums."
I wonder how this might affect businesses?
quote
Private citizens are not the only ones seeking privacy online. Businesses around the world are becoming wary of US-run data centers, according to a report by Daniel Castro of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF).
The report found that 10 percent of international companies surveyed had already canceled a project that used US cloud computing resources, and 56 percent of international companies said they were now "less likely" to use those resources in the future.
In total, the report estimates the US will lose 10 - 20 percent of the international cloud computing market, which translates into between $22 and $35 billion.
Private citizens are not the only ones seeking privacy online. Businesses around the world are becoming wary of US-run data centers, according to a report by Daniel Castro of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF).
The report found that 10 percent of international companies surveyed had already canceled a project that used US cloud computing resources, and 56 percent of international companies said they were now "less likely" to use those resources in the future.
In total, the report estimates the US will lose 10 - 20 percent of the international cloud computing market, which translates into between $22 and $35 billion. Well, there you go.
So our "security" is costing more than just the citizens. Not much I can say, most people don't really care.
I laugh at the idea that they are tracking me. The poor person looking at me most likely finds themselves puking in the wastebasket more than they thought they would at work.
From what I gather it holds your data or a copy of your data out in cyberspace, sort of as a back up, or even primary storage. Many phones and tablets have things automatically backed up to "the cloud". A legitimate use is primarily if you have multiple devices you dont need multiple copies of "software". I guess i think of it like a network harddrive that can be accessed from many places.
Originally posted by 84fiero123: What the FK is this cloud I keep hearing about and just WTF is it?
Steve
It's just internet based storage. If you use Photobucket, your photos are "on the cloud." It's just a marketing term. What's driving it is the general move to put more data on remotely accessible servers like that so you can access the same data from anywhere or from multiple devices. There's still a server somewhere storing the data.
I do find the whole "cloud" business to be really asking for a mess.
Our company talked about it for a few minutes. Sounded like an exceedingly bad idea to me. Apparently, the "powers that be" thought so, as well.
Aside from that, didn't the gummint actually shut down one company's servers because they thought there was something nefarious going on? Seems like some of their customers were storing "unauthorized" copies of music, or some such. Never mind the other customers who were storing "legitimate" data on the same servers. I'm not sure if those people ever got their data back.
Yeah. What could go wrong?
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 07-10-2014).]
Originally posted by 84fiero123: What the FK is this cloud I keep hearing about and just WTF is it?
Steve
its where you put everything including fiancials on a USA/NSA controlled server....the plus is, I can walk up to any computer in the world, log in, and access my files, from any computer on this planet (Including HAL)
Downside of it ?????.....you figure it out then grab yer guns.
[This message has been edited by MidEngineManiac (edited 07-10-2014).]
Since the quote in the first post was from a German news site, I thought it was interesting that Germany today expelled the top US secret service representative after it was uncovered that the US had at least two spies in the German department of defense and the secret service.
Since the quote in the first post was from a German news site, I thought it was interesting that Germany today expelled the top US secret service representative after it was uncovered that the US had at least two spies in the German department of defense and the secret service.
Not a great way to make (or keep) friends. Many people in Germany now say: with friends like that, our enemies don't look so bad anymore... and that's very troubling.
Not a great way to make (or keep) friends. Many people in Germany now say: with friends like that, our enemies don't look so bad anymore... and that's very troubling.
On this we are in complete agreement. Treating your allies like that is just stupid. The U.S. will quickly find itself alone in a hostile world if this keeps up.
