On Tuesday, WikiLeaks revealed the mind-boggling tools and techniques allegedly used by the CIA to break into phones, computers, and Smart TVs.
If proven to be true, ordinary people appear to be very vulnerable to privacy breaches. Apparently, no handset or consumer-friendly app could protect us from the sophisticated riggings of the CIA. The WikiLeaks report includes manuals, notes, and conversations about how to turn a normal home appliance into a listening device.
CIA spy tactics, per WikiLeaks
According to the New York Times, WikiLeaks listed down the possible computer programs that the CIA use for spying enemies and common people alike. Unfortunately, Skype and normal Wi-Fi networks are vulnerable to attacks alongside documents in PDF format. Moreover, antivirus products meant to protect the customers are actually hacking tools.
WikiLeaks warned people to avoid a program called Wrecking Crew that cracks a targeted PC. Another unknown app steals passwords through the autocomplete function on Internet Explorer. The remaining CIA spy tools are known as the CrunchyLimeSkies, ElderPiggy, AnotherQuake, and McNugget.
The latest document dump from WikiLeaks is indeed a serious blow to the CIA. Given that the secret agency carries out undercover activities against foreign threats, the revelations may put national security into danger as the enemies would know how to cover up their plans. Nonetheless, the leaks were highly embarrassing and ironic for a firm focusing on confidentiality.
WikiLeaks not yet finish, CIA neither confirm nor deny allegations
According to NPR, Tuesday's revelation is called "Year Zero", according to WikiLeaks itself. Apparently, it is just the start of more CIA hacking techniques collectively labeled as "Vault 7". The first installment included 7,818 web pages with 943 attachments. To illustrate, "Vault 7" contains hundred million lines of computer codes yet to be revealed.
WikiLeaks said that the CIA is capable of compromising iOS and Android devices. This technique permits secret agents to bypass Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Dean Boyd, a CIA spokesman, noted that they "do not comment on the authenticity or content of purported intelligence documents."
