CARNIVORE

And Other Computer Spy Programs

What is Carnivore?

Carnivore helps the FBI conduct ‘wiretaps’ on Internet connections.Carnivore is a computer-based system that is designed to allow the FBI, in cooperation with an Internet.Service Providers (ISPs), have to comply with court orders requiring the collection of certain information about emails or other electronic communications to or from a specific user targeted in an investigation.

The “Packet Sniffer”

All Internet traffic is broken down into bundles called "packets".

Carnivore eavesdrops on these packets watching them go by, then saves a copy of the packets which meet certain criteria, that are of interest.

Carnivore Continued

Hardware is plugged directly into the network at a central location.

It’s the electronic equivalent of listening to everybody's phone calls to see if it’s the phone call you should be monitoring.

The Carnivore Box

The Carnivore Box is a COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) Windows NT (or Windows 2000) computer system with 128-megabytes of RAM, a Pentium III, 4-18 gigabytes of disk space, and a 2G Jaz drive where evidence is saved. The software is written in C++.The box has no TCP/IP protocol use (so it cannot get hacked into).A hardware authentication device is used to control access to the box (preventing ISP personnel from accessing the device without leaving visible signs of damage).

The Carnivore Box Continued

Use of a "network isolation device", which is probably a Shomiti or NetOptics tap, this prevents the box from transmitting even if a hacker where able to break in somehow.

COTS "communications software“ which means possible use of a commercial off-the-shelf application to send the data to the FBI.

Some units are rumored to have dial-in modem ports, but it seems that the standard procedure is to have an FBI agent come in daily to exchange the Jaz disk for a fresh one.

Spy Hardware for the Consumer

KeyGhost - A small device that records every keystroke typed on any PC computer

Over 500,000 keystrokes can be stored with a STRONG 128 bit encryption in non-volatile flash memory. (does not need batteries to retain storage)

KeyGhost

Unlike software keystroke recorders, KeyGhost records every keystroke including those used to modify the BIOS before bootup

Impossible to detect or disable using software

Costs between 200 and 400 dollars

iOpus Starr Surveillance Software

Software that allows the user to access virtually everything that was done on the computer

iOpus Highlights

Visual logging ( screenshots)

Text logging

Web Spy- Records all URL’s of visited sites

Chat Spy- Records both sides of a chat conversation ( works with AOLIM, ICQ, Microsoft messenger and Yahoo chat

iOpus Highlights Continued

AOL spy- Records IM conversations, emails and other content inside AOL

Sends reports directly to email as a password protected compressed zip file

Runs invisibly and maintenance free

Cost- $69.95