Magic Lantern
Jontu
FBI software cracks encryption wall
'Magic Lantern' part of new 'Enhanced Carnivore Project'
By Bob Sullivan
MSNBC
Nov. 20 - The FBI is developing software capable of inserting a computer
virus onto a suspect's machine and obtaining encryption keys, a source
familiar with the project told MSNBC.com. The software, known as "Magic
Lantern," enables agents to read data that had been scrambled, a tactic
often employed by criminals to hide information and evade law enforcement.
The best snooping technology that the FBI currently uses, the controversial
software called Carnivore, has been useless against suspects clever enough
to encrypt their files.
MAGIC LANTERN installs so-called "keylogging" software on a suspect's
machine that is capable of capturing keystrokes typed on a computer. By
tracking exactly what a suspect types, critical encryption key information
can be gathered, and then transmitted back to the FBI, according to the
source, who requested anonymity.
The virus can be sent to the suspect via e-mail - perhaps sent for the FBI
by a trusted friend or relative. The FBI can also use common
vulnerabilities to break into a suspect's computer and insert Magic
Lantern, the source said.
Magic Lantern is one of a series of enhancements currently being developed
for the FBI's Carnivore project, the source said, under the umbrella
project name of Cyber Knight...