Ron Paul on Wikileaks

A._Badger

vivatifosi wrote: »

However I now have a new favourite, courtesty of this weekend's batch. In this, it is suggested that more South Koreans may be able to meet their families in North Korea, something which is often hard to arrange due to N Korean intransigence. How to do this? Book a concert by Eric Clapton, thought to be the favourite musician of the leader's middle son.

I wonder if he'd do a 12-bar version of 'I'm So Ronery'?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh_9QhRzJEs

Generali

vivatifosi wrote: »

The thing that the company I sometimes work for has done is bought computers that have no ability to plug in storage devices. AIUI, the Wikileaks documents were downloaded to a memory stick. With a company producing basic goods, they only need to make it difficult to take information - screening emails and stopping downloads will do. No hacker is going to be interested in breaking in beyond this because what they do isn't interesting enough. In the case of the State Department, it looks as though they didn't even take these rudimentary precautions.

Mistakes are made.

When I was at Goldmans, you couldn't use the USB sockets for anything. Except on my PC for some unknown reason.

At my current employers, my colleague was accidentally given HR level access to the employee database. What he could see was mundane (eg end dates for contractors) but he shouldn't have had it.

Also at my current employer, you can't use a USB stick. However you can plug your iPhone in to charge it and I know that I can download photos from my phone to my PC which I wouldn'y be able to do from a memory stick.

Now I know that there are several apps that let you use your iPhone as a memory stick. I wonder......

Every bank I've ever worked for has banned access to web-based mail. Most have a back door for Yahoo though.

globalds

I thought that documents were released to the press prior to being released to the public.

Wasn't this the moment the main street media crossed the same line that is being drawn for Assange ?

vivatifosi

tomterm8 wrote: »

The person they believe leaked the documents is being held in solitary confinement, waiting for a court martial.

This article, from wired.com, was written in June. He'd been leaking information to Wikileaks for some time and it looks like he was turned in by a hacker, rather than being found out by the US military. Which makes you wonder, if someone feels alienated, knows they are going to be demoted and is looking to leave the service early, why you allow them continued access to state secrets. Not just an IT failure, but an HR one.

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/06/leak/

StevieJ

vivatifosi wrote: »

The thing that the company I sometimes work for has done is bought computers that have no ability to plug in storage devices. AIUI, the Wikileaks documents were downloaded to a memory stick.

Presumably if you can download to a memory stick you can also upload a virus via a memory stick.

olly300

StevieJ wrote: »

Presumably if you can download to a memory stick you can also upload a virus via a memory stick.

You could but if you have a dispute with a company what you actually want is as much damaging information as possible about them to leak out.

Unfortunately loads of companies make it very easy for you to transfer data around especially if you are in the IT department. They have their security procedures but once you hassle the relevant person enough times about installing lots of apps or being able to use different mail servers the person who gives you access tends to give you free rein.

Plus anyone working with the government and NATO is security cleared so a lot is based on trust. So you can be charged with treason in serious cases, or simply lose your job/contract for not following procedures.

vivatifosi

Showing that this thread is totally on topic, there's actually an economy related set of wikileaks in the latest batch. They date from 2008/9, but an interesting insight into the mindset.

BANKING CRISIS NOW ONE OF SOLVENCY NOT LIQUIDITY

http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2008/03/08LONDON797.html

RBS EXECUTIVES SAY “MEA CULPA” - AND SHARE PLANS

http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2009/05/09LONDON1069.html

THE BANK GUARANTEE: AN IRISH SOLUTION TO AN IRISH

http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2008/10/08DUBLIN556.html

UK GOVERNMENT GETS TOUGH ON BANK BONUSES

http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2009/11/09LONDON2478.html

Sir_Humphrey

The USA should have protected their files properly.

Simple as.

Do private companies use USB Iron Keys? Where I am, normal memory sticks are verboten, as is web based email.

Generali

Sir_Humphrey wrote: »

The USA should have protected their files properly.

Simple as.

Do private companies use USB Iron Keys? Where I am, normal memory sticks are verboten, as is web based email.

Most banks just disable the USBs in some way.

vivatifosi

Thought I'd bump this now Wikileaks is implicated in the Tunisia unrest:

http://www.businessinsider.com/tunisia-wikileaks-2011-1

In this instance, I think its the type of info that the people of Tunisia should have access to, though the outcome is a shame. I don't suppose you can depose someone that corrupt easily though. Tunisia is lovely, so I hope the problems sort themselves out soon.