14 DAY TRIAL // The US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) uses a wide range of hacking tools to spy on suspects. It’s believed that the agency has been relying on hacking for over ten years, but the techniques it uses are rarely disclosed to the public.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the FBI uses software that encrypts communications, but also some special tools that allow authorities to hijack the microphone of a laptop computer and even the one of an Android phone.
A former FBI official has told the publication that the agency hires hackers to develop its own tools. However, it also purchases software capable of performing such tasks from the private sector.
Interestingly, these tools are mainly used for counterterrorism, organized crime and child abuse cases. They’re not used against cybercriminals because the FBI fears suspects might discover and publicize their techniques.
The hacking programs are usually installed remotely by tricking the target into opening a cleverly crafted document or a link. In some cases, thumb drives are used to plant the spyware.
The harvested information is screened for relevant data by a specialized team.
While normally a search warrant is required, if the tool only collects IP addresses or the email addresses of the recipient and the sender, a court order under a lower standard is enough, particularly if the software is delivered remotely.
The US government has been under fire lately after the whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed that the NSA is spying on Americans.
On the other hand, unlike the NSA data collection programs, law enforcement is said to be using hacking techniques only in very specific cases.
Nevertheless, civil rights supporters argue that clear legal guidelines should be established to make sure hacking tools are not misused.