Af/Pak & Other News (4/27/2012)

[dump...@hotmail.com]

US offers 'safe passage' to Afghan Taliban leaders:

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/27/11424408-us-offers-safe-passage-to-afghan-taliban-leaders?lite



Bin Laden’s Death Warrant:

http://defensetech.org/2012/04/26/bin-ladens-death-warrant/



Bin Laden family deported from Pakistan: officials:

http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20120427-342549.html



Defiant Pakistan PM refuses to step down:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5irx8Y06SlLe8apPkPK43xiX5FHkw?docId=CNG.4bcd4c45e836e872ad6947278b04c568.151



India puts indigenous radar imaging satellite into orbit:

http://alert5.com/2012/04/27/india-puts-indigenous-radar-imaging-satellite-into-orbit/



Iran 'mobilizing' for cyberwar with West: experts:

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Iran_mobilizing_for_cyberwar_with_West_experts_999.html



U.S. Amasses Stealth Jet Armada Near Iran:

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/04/armada-masses-near-iran/



Explosion rocks Syrian capital amid protests:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-04-27/syria-damascus-blast/54574392/1



Rebel rivalry and suspicions threaten Syria revolt:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/27/us-syria-rebels-idUSBRE83Q0S120120427



Abduct Israelis to free prisoners: Gaza leaders:

http://news.yahoo.com/abduct-israelis-free-prisoners-gaza-leaders-134740590.html



IDF develops active missile-shield for helicopters:

http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=267716




F-16s, MiGs engage over Bulgarian skies:

http://www.defencetalk.com/f-16s-migs-engage-over-bulgarian-skies-42027/



MIG 29 Crashes during Bulgaria-US Military Exercise:

http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2012-04-27&article=39011




Bombs wound 27 in Ukrainian city:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-ukraine-blastsbre83q0mx-20120427,0,6926161.story



Meth Smugglers Tried to Sell Secret Drone Parts to China:

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/04/meth-smugglers-secret-drone/



U.S.-Japan deal withdraws 9,000 Marines from Okinawa:

http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/27/world/asia/japan-us-okinawa/index.html



Hackers hit Philippines websites amid China dispute:

http://www.defencetalk.com/hackers-hit-philippines-websites-amid-china-dispute-42040/



Secret Service investigating another report of debauchery involving
strippers and prostitutes - this time in El Salvador:

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/26/11412120-secret-service-investigating-another-report-of-debauchery-involving-strippers-and-prostitutes-this-time-in-el-salvador?lite



PAC-3 successfully intercepts cruise missile target with help from
JLENS:

http://alert5.com/2012/04/27/pac-3-successfully-intercepts-cruise-missile-target-with-help-from-jlens/



Northrop Grumman Wins U.S. Air Force Electronic Attack Pod Upgrade
Program:

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/134794/northrop-wins-us-air-forceelectronic-attack-pod-upgrade-program.html



Future nano-UAVs could collect ISR in heavily defended airspace
alongside Raptors and F-35s:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/future-nano-uavs-could-collect-isr-in-heavily-defended-airspace-alongside-raptors-and-f-35s-371189/



HASC Demands Navy 'Fess Up On LCS Problems:

http://defense.aol.com/2012/04/26/hasc-demands-navy-fess-up-on-lcs-problems/



New Navy Uniform Could Monitor Sailors’ Pee for Signs of Nuclear
Attack:

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/04/military-smart-clothes/



OPFOR: Being the Enemy:

http://www.verticalmag.com/news/articles/20382-being-the-enemy.html



Bipartisan Lovefest Boosts Virginia Subs In Senate:

http://defense.aol.com/2012/04/26/bipartisan-lovefest-boosts-virginia-subs-in-senate/



Preview: Last Raptor to be delivered next Wednesday:

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2012/04/preview-last-raptor-to-be-deli.html



House Passes Controversial Cybersecurity Measure CISPA:

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/04/house-passes-cispa/



Tom Cruise ready to sign on for Top Gun 2:

http://alert5.com/2012/04/27/tom-cruise-ready-to-sign-on-for-top-gun-2/

[Andrew Swallow]

On 27/04/2012 18:19, dump...@hotmail.com wrote:
> Iran 'mobilizing' for cyberwar with West: experts:
>
> http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Iran_mobilizing_for_cyberwar_with_West_experts_999.html

There is a bit of a bluff going on with the internet. A country's
network only interfaces with the rest of the world via a small number of
connections. Such connections can be disconnected.

It is possible to trace calls and disconnect at the borders. For a
major attach the central control needs to be online nearly continuously
- although each command could appear to be a separate call.

Andrew Swallow

[Bill]

In article <VeOdnTHuypTC8wPS...@bt.com>,
am.sw...@btinternet.com says...

That's just nonsense.

I can get you a roof top dish that talks to a communications satellite
and gives you about 2 megs of Internet bandwidth for less than £1,000.

Governments use covert 'suitcase' systems in the field that are probably
as capable.

--
William Black

When you hear the words 'Our people are our greatest asset' then it's
time to leave.

[Vaughn]

On 4/30/2012 6:50 AM, Andrew Swallow wrote:
> On 27/04/2012 18:19, dump...@hotmail.com wrote:
>> Iran 'mobilizing' for cyberwar with West: experts:
>>
>> http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Iran_mobilizing_for_cyberwar_with_West_experts_999.html
>>
>
> There is a bit of a bluff going on with the internet. A country's
> network only interfaces with the rest of the world via a small number of
> connections. Such connections can be disconnected.

Sorry, but the above seems to be based on some tragically simplistic
thinking.

Yes, those major nodes can indeed be disconnected (Although it's not
clear to me that the US government has authority to force that).
Unfortunately, there's nothing to prevent a million small (or large)
leaks around those main connections. This could be something as simple,
tiny and ubiquitous as a phone modem on an international line, or as
wideband as a satellite link. Also, there's nothing to say that cyber
attacks must originate from outside our borders.

Vaughn

[Bill]

In article <jnm255$88f$1...@speranza.aioe.org>, vaugh...@gmail.com
says...

Actually, thinking about it, it makes a lot of sense to put your cyber
warfare team's 'point of entry' into the country you're attacking within
the country itself.

Assuming you have some form of diplomatic presence there, and the US is
particularly vulnerable here because the UN is in New York, it should be
reasonably easy to put a point of entry to the country's infrastructure
there even if your team isn't there.

[Jim Wilkins]

"Bill" <black...@gmail.com> wrote...
> ...>>

>
> That's just nonsense.
>
> I can get you a roof top dish that talks to a communications
> satellite
> and gives you about 2 megs of Internet bandwidth for less than
> £1,000.
> Governments use covert 'suitcase' systems in the field that are
> probably
> as capable.

> William Black

I can build you one, but it won't be cheap, and 'they' will know when
you use it.

[Bill]

In article <jnm3vu$c6a$1...@dont-email.me>, murat...@gmail.com says...

Lots of people can, and they are cheap.

I priced one for a rural office about six months ago at less than £1,000

and 'they' will know when
> you use it.

But what they won't know is where you are...

Which is rather the point about small roof-top dishes.

Especially if you're using it for a short-term cyber attack.

Such an attack was described in some detail over two decades ago in a
William Gibson novel.

[Daryl]

Originating inside the US would be a touch act to continue.
Inside the US, it takes a simple Court Order to have the files
seized by the FBI. Any Provider of the Servers will cooperate or
their entire operation will be carted off to an FBI Lab and they
will be sent to jail.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have been in the server side of
things and always stated to my clients that no felonious acts
will be used on the system. If I found out it was happening I
would be the first to make the call to the authorities. This
kept this to a dull roar. Even so, the authorities would still
require that court order specifying which records they needed to
view. And they would only get access to those records. The
mistake many make is they refuse and lose all their equipment
(meaning, they are out of business even if they don't go to
jail). Cooperating with the Authorities means that the equipment
stays, your legal client base is still secure and not viewed by
anyone other than the Admins. And the Admins are not convicted
of Obstructing Justice, withholding evidence and contempt of court.



--
http://tvmoviesforfree.com
for free movies and Nostalgic TV. Tons of Military shows and
programs.

[Keith W]

And it will worry the hell out of them when they realize you have
sent an untrackable encrypted data packet out.

As for cutting connections at the border do you really think
the economy of an first world country is tolerant of such outages ?

Can you imagine what losing global internet connection would
do to the US Economy ?

Keith

[Bill]

In article <LqDnr.437925$yJ4.3...@fx07.am4>,
keithnosp...@demon.co.uk says...

>
> Jim Wilkins wrote:
> > "Bill" <black...@gmail.com> wrote...
> >> ...>>
> >>
> >> That's just nonsense.
> >>
> >> I can get you a roof top dish that talks to a communications
> >> satellite
> >> and gives you about 2 megs of Internet bandwidth for less than
> >> £1,000.
> >> Governments use covert 'suitcase' systems in the field that are
> >> probably
> >> as capable.
> >> William Black
> >
> > I can build you one, but it won't be cheap, and 'they' will know when
> > you use it.
>
> And it will worry the hell out of them when they realize you have
> sent an untrackable encrypted data packet out.

I doubt that.

The world is awash with untraceable packets of data.

[Andrew Swallow]

On 30/04/2012 13:19, Bill wrote:
> In article<VeOdnTHuypTC8wPS...@bt.com>,
> am.sw...@btinternet.com says...
>>
>> On 27/04/2012 18:19, dump...@hotmail.com wrote:
>>> Iran 'mobilizing' for cyberwar with West: experts:
>>>
>>> http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Iran_mobilizing_for_cyberwar_with_West_experts_999.html
>>
>> There is a bit of a bluff going on with the internet. A country's
>> network only interfaces with the rest of the world via a small number of
>> connections. Such connections can be disconnected.
>>
>> It is possible to trace calls and disconnect at the borders. For a
>> major attach the central control needs to be online nearly continuously
>> - although each command could appear to be a separate call.
>>
>
> That's just nonsense.
>
> I can get you a roof top dish that talks to a communications satellite
> and gives you about 2 megs of Internet bandwidth for less than £1,000.
>
> Governments use covert 'suitcase' systems in the field that are probably
> as capable.
>

There are only a small number of satellites and the US Government knows
where the firms that own them head officers are.

Andrew Swallow

[Andrew Swallow]

On 30/04/2012 15:22, Bill wrote:
> In article<jnm3vu$c6a$1...@dont-email.me>, murat...@gmail.com says...
>>
>> "Bill"<black...@gmail.com> wrote...
>>> ...>>
>>>
>>> That's just nonsense.
>>>
>>> I can get you a roof top dish that talks to a communications
>>> satellite
>>> and gives you about 2 megs of Internet bandwidth for less than
>>> £1,000.
>>> Governments use covert 'suitcase' systems in the field that are
>>> probably
>>> as capable.
>>> William Black
>>
>> I can build you one, but it won't be cheap,
>
> Lots of people can, and they are cheap.
>
> I priced one for a rural office about six months ago at less than £1,000
>
> and 'they' will know when
>> you use it.
>
> But what they won't know is where you are...
>
> Which is rather the point about small roof-top dishes.
>
> Especially if you're using it for a short-term cyber attack.
>
> Such an attack was described in some detail over two decades ago in a
> William Gibson novel.
>
>

We know where the satellite is.
We know where the company that owns it has its head office.
We know where the main ground stations connect to the rest of the internet.

Also since this is a government organised attack war time rules apply.

Andrew Swallow

[Andrew Swallow]

The Iranian border.

Andrew Swallow

[Bill]

In article <nd2dncs6e9X_rT3S...@bt.com>,
am.sw...@btinternet.com says...

>
> On 30/04/2012 13:19, Bill wrote:
> > In article<VeOdnTHuypTC8wPS...@bt.com>,
> > am.sw...@btinternet.com says...
> >>
> >> On 27/04/2012 18:19, dump...@hotmail.com wrote:
> >>> Iran 'mobilizing' for cyberwar with West: experts:
> >>>
> >>> http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Iran_mobilizing_for_cyberwar_with_West_experts_999.html
> >>
> >> There is a bit of a bluff going on with the internet. A country's
> >> network only interfaces with the rest of the world via a small number of
> >> connections. Such connections can be disconnected.
> >>
> >> It is possible to trace calls and disconnect at the borders. For a
> >> major attach the central control needs to be online nearly continuously
> >> - although each command could appear to be a separate call.
> >>
> >
> > That's just nonsense.
> >
> > I can get you a roof top dish that talks to a communications satellite

> > and gives you about 2 megs of Internet bandwidth for less than ￜ1,000.

> >
> > Governments use covert 'suitcase' systems in the field that are probably
> > as capable.
> >
>
> There are only a small number of satellites and the US Government knows
> where the firms that own them head officers are.

Some of them are beyond reach, most of them don't bother to check who
their customers really are and chasing g after someone who uses the
assortment of Internet masking technologies available is pretty futile.

[Bill]

In article <CqudnanbS6_ErD3S...@bt.com>,
am.sw...@btinternet.com says...

>
> On 30/04/2012 15:22, Bill wrote:
> > In article<jnm3vu$c6a$1...@dont-email.me>, murat...@gmail.com says...
> >>
> >> "Bill"<black...@gmail.com> wrote...
> >>> ...>>
> >>>
> >>> That's just nonsense.
> >>>
> >>> I can get you a roof top dish that talks to a communications
> >>> satellite
> >>> and gives you about 2 megs of Internet bandwidth for less than

> >>> ￜ1,000.

> >>> Governments use covert 'suitcase' systems in the field that are
> >>> probably
> >>> as capable.
> >>> William Black
> >>
> >> I can build you one, but it won't be cheap,
> >
> > Lots of people can, and they are cheap.
> >

> > I priced one for a rural office about six months ago at less than ￜ1,000

> >
> > and 'they' will know when
> >> you use it.
> >
> > But what they won't know is where you are...
> >
> > Which is rather the point about small roof-top dishes.
> >
> > Especially if you're using it for a short-term cyber attack.
> >
> > Such an attack was described in some detail over two decades ago in a
> > William Gibson novel.
> >
> >
>
> We know where the satellite is.
> We know where the company that owns it has its head office.
> We know where the main ground stations connect to the rest of the internet.
>
> Also since this is a government organised attack war time rules apply.

That idea really worked with the attacks in Mumbai coordinated by IP
telephone services purchased from Pakistan but running on US owned
systems.

Nobody checks, and after the event all you know is where the services
were rented from.

[Andrew Swallow]

On 01/05/2012 22:07, Bill wrote:
> In article<nd2dncs6e9X_rT3S...@bt.com>,
> am.sw...@btinternet.com says...
>>
>> On 30/04/2012 13:19, Bill wrote:
>>> In article<VeOdnTHuypTC8wPS...@bt.com>,
>>> am.sw...@btinternet.com says...
>>>>
>>>> On 27/04/2012 18:19, dump...@hotmail.com wrote:
>>>>> Iran 'mobilizing' for cyberwar with West: experts:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Iran_mobilizing_for_cyberwar_with_West_experts_999.html
>>>>
>>>> There is a bit of a bluff going on with the internet. A country's
>>>> network only interfaces with the rest of the world via a small number of
>>>> connections. Such connections can be disconnected.
>>>>
>>>> It is possible to trace calls and disconnect at the borders. For a
>>>> major attach the central control needs to be online nearly continuously
>>>> - although each command could appear to be a separate call.
>>>>
>>>
>>> That's just nonsense.
>>>
>>> I can get you a roof top dish that talks to a communications satellite

>>> and gives you about 2 megs of Internet bandwidth for less than £1,000.

>>>
>>> Governments use covert 'suitcase' systems in the field that are probably
>>> as capable.
>>>
>>
>> There are only a small number of satellites and the US Government knows
>> where the firms that own them head officers are.
>
> Some of them are beyond reach, most of them don't bother to check who
> their customers really are and chasing g after someone who uses the
> assortment of Internet masking technologies available is pretty futile.
>
>

You can hide a sniper but an entire regiment firing gives itself away.

Andrew Swallow

[Bill]

In article <pPCdnbummvN29zzS...@bt.com>,
am.sw...@btinternet.com says...

In IT terms that's just silly.

A major cyber attack would be over in minutes.

They'd be in and out and watching whatever networks they'd attacked
collapse from a distance, much as whoever did over the Iranian
centrifuges did.

[Andrew Swallow]

If you remove the pressure networks recover. They may need a restart.

The centrifuges were a mechanical item and could therefore be physically
damaged.

Andrew Swallow