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Lawful for cops to hack into your computer/phone

Widelats
Widelats Posts: 3,773 Forumite
If there is one thing that grinds my gears its the Government sticking their fat nose into my life without my consent.

I heard today that the UK Government QUIETLY pushed through a law or bill that made it legal for the cops to hack into computers or phones and face no criminal charges for it, i can find no links anywhere about it though yet, but i will, seems its kept quiet.

So, i have decided i would like a VPN can anyone recommend one? Preferably encrypted or having a encryption option to it?

Also i was looking at TAILS the anonymous OS that can be run from a USB of 4gb, permanently for any communications that you do, or for anything else that you dont want anyone sniffing round at, would anyone know a step by step laymans guide to installing this TAILS on a USB and running it? I don't fancy running it over my new windows 8.1 as it might mess it up, but i would buy a old cheap laptop to use it with if sending emails and messages online to family and friends, i would even use Tor with it if the Government keeps wanting to know what i do online or who i talk to or what sites i visy=it.

Its a long shot but it might work if someone knows about it?? Thanks.
Owed out = lots. :cool:
«134567

Comments

  • enfield_freddy
    enfield_freddy Posts: 6,147 Forumite
    30 secs on google found not only the download page for the programme you state , and a comprehensive list of questions and answers https://tails.boum.org/


    don,t have many "cops" down south , we have the odd police man , and I,m rather glad that he is doing his best to protect us


    if there is a delay downloading the proggy , its because you are in a queue , behind 32 terrorist bombers
  • shaun_from_Africa
    shaun_from_Africa Posts: 12,858 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Widelats wrote: »
    I heard today that the UK Government QUIETLY pushed through a law or bill that made it legal for the cops to hack into computers or phones and face no criminal charges for it, i can find no links anywhere about it though yet, but i will, seems its kept quiet.

    I believe that this was brought into force by a change in the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
    http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/18/contents
    Section 1 (Unauthorised access to computer material) covers hacking into computers and section 10 (Saving for certain law enforcement powers.) is what gives the exemption from prosecution for for police officers investigating a crime.

    Personally, I think that with the amount of cyber crime going on nowadays and with so much evidence being stored in encrypted form on computers, providing the police are actually investigating a crime and not just fishing, I don't see anything wrong with this.
  • Well one thing for sure is that using the sort of things the OP mentioned in their post is likely to attract the attention of the security services!

    Here is one such link which the OP was unable to find by using google....
    http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/15/intelligence-officers-have-immunity-from-hacking-laws-tribunal-told

    The reason its not been really reported is most people who get on with their busy lives, are really not bothered by it.
  • gjchester
    gjchester Posts: 5,741 Forumite
    Widelats wrote: »
    If
    Also i was looking at TAILS the anonymous OS that can be run from a USB of 4gb, permanently for any communications that you do, or for anything else that you dont want anyone sniffing round at, would anyone know a step by step laymans guide to installing this TAILS on a USB and running it?


    If its on the web and downloadable then the chances are anyone in a government agency already has a copy and a workaround is probably in place.
  • tavernman
    tavernman Posts: 575 Forumite
    Widelats wrote: »
    If there is one thing that grinds my gears its the Government sticking their fat nose into my life without my consent.

    I heard today that the UK Government QUIETLY pushed through a law or bill that made it legal for the cops to hack into computers or phones and face no criminal charges for it, i can find no links anywhere about it though yet, but i will, seems its kept quiet.

    So, i have decided i would like a VPN can anyone recommend one? Preferably encrypted or having a encryption option to it?

    Also i was looking at TAILS the anonymous OS that can be run from a USB of 4gb, permanently for any communications that you do, or for anything else that you dont want anyone sniffing round at, would anyone know a step by step laymans guide to installing this TAILS on a USB and running it? I don't fancy running it over my new windows 8.1 as it might mess it up, but i would buy a old cheap laptop to use it with if sending emails and messages online to family and friends, i would even use Tor with it if the Government keeps wanting to know what i do online or who i talk to or what sites i visy=it.

    Its a long shot but it might work if someone knows about it?? Thanks.
    Do your friends and family have regular email addresses and ISPs, then their stuff is being snooped anyway and copies of your top secret stuff will be on their servers. Welcome to the real world where only fools think the government will care about them. Real criminals know how to hide their tracks, only Liberals and Tree Huggers think they are under surveillance.
  • Big_Graeme
    Big_Graeme Posts: 3,220 Forumite
    Widelats wrote: »
    If there is one thing that grinds my gears its the Government sticking their fat nose into my life without my consent.

    I heard today that the UK Government QUIETLY pushed through a law or bill that made it legal for the cops to hack into computers or phones and face no criminal charges for it, i can find no links anywhere about it though yet, but i will, seems its kept quiet.

    So, i have decided i would like a VPN can anyone recommend one? Preferably encrypted or having a encryption option to it?

    Also i was looking at TAILS the anonymous OS that can be run from a USB of 4gb, permanently for any communications that you do, or for anything else that you dont want anyone sniffing round at, would anyone know a step by step laymans guide to installing this TAILS on a USB and running it? I don't fancy running it over my new windows 8.1 as it might mess it up, but i would buy a old cheap laptop to use it with if sending emails and messages online to family and friends, i would even use Tor with it if the Government keeps wanting to know what i do online or who i talk to or what sites i visy=it.

    Its a long shot but it might work if someone knows about it?? Thanks.

    Oh that isn't the half of it once the SNP get their way, all in the name of "freedom" of course...

    BTW call them cops up here and you'll get some funny looks too, you been reading far too many conspiracy sites.
  • Lumstorm
    Lumstorm Posts: 242 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    gjchester wrote: »
    If its on the web and downloadable then the chances are anyone in a government agency already has a copy and a workaround is probably in place.

    For a lot of encryption systems out there they don't have a work around there are flaws found in systems like Tails but they are soon fixed. This keeps the government from snooping which is why Cameron wants laws against security that they can't break. http://www.slashgear.com/obama-backs-camerons-fight-against-encryption-19365142/

    It is also why the US agencies listed groups that are the biggest threats to US national security groups such as Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Google, Apple, Facebook.

    After Snowden revealed how the NSA were spying on Google and Apple customers the companies closed the loopholes that were being used and hardened their security.
  • S0litaire
    S0litaire Posts: 3,535 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Widelats wrote: »
    If there is one thing that grinds my gears its the Government sticking their fat nose into my life without my consent.
    I Highly doubt the Government would be interested in your life...
    Widelats wrote: »
    So, i have decided i would like a VPN can anyone recommend one? Preferably encrypted or having a encryption option to it?

    Also i was looking at TAILS the anonymous OS that can be run from a USB of 4gb, permanently for any communications that you do
    ...snip...

    Its a long shot but it might work if someone knows about it?? Thanks.

    *NOW* The government is highly interested in your life. I Wonder what you are hiding.... ;) lol
    Laters

    Sol

    "Have you found the secrets of the universe? Asked Zebade "I'm sure I left them here somewhere"
  • Widelats
    Widelats Posts: 3,773 Forumite
    Alright, so i was told the truth - and thanks for the links.
    Owed out = lots. :cool:
  • Widelats
    Widelats Posts: 3,773 Forumite
    Lumstorm wrote: »
    For a lot of encryption systems out there they don't have a work around there are flaws found in systems like Tails but they are soon fixed. This keeps the government from snooping which is why Cameron wants laws against security that they can't break. http://www.slashgear.com/obama-backs-camerons-fight-against-encryption-19365142/

    It is also why the US agencies listed groups that are the biggest threats to US national security groups such as Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Google, Apple, Facebook.

    After Snowden revealed how the NSA were spying on Google and Apple customers the companies closed the loopholes that were being used and hardened their security.

    This!! And people act shocked when they find out some gov agency has been spying their data and bills and who they phone for 10 years - well thanks, i will look into this this TAILS and stuff and keep my conversations private in future,
    Owed out = lots. :cool:
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