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Munchies_Matt wrote: According to the ex MSFT guy in my office, MSFT told the NSA and GCHQ to go jump when they asked for a back door to some encryption process.
Which is exactly what they would say if they were in cahoots with the NSA. 
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."
- Homer
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"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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kmoorevs wrote: The way some people install toolbars and crap these days, it could probably be plainly advertised as creepware and be installed legally (with user consent) on grandma's laptop.
I just had a mental image of grandma as seen through a hidden cam! 
You are now responsible for my never being able to think of grandma in the same way. 
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy.
I would agree with you but then we both would be wrong.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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Although this has been reported to be fixed it illustrates that there are alternative ways of approaching the problem. 
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy.
I would agree with you but then we both would be wrong.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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These devices do exactly what I said would be the only route: "the webcam runs independently as a networked device"
So it isn't surprising there would be a massive security flaw in their product. This is so obvious I am surprised they didn't think of it.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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"the webcam runs independently as a networked device "\
That confirms exactly what I said. Thanks.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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Wow. 
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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I am an ex mech/aero engineer who moved to software and found myself working mostly in the windows kernel for the last 18 years. They are just machines, big, complex machines, but they are limited to doing, literally, what they are built to do.
So in terms of security, in the old days cars had locks that cold be opened by anything, as do many computers today, but they evolved, as will computers.
Of course the thieves, NSA, will try to stay one ahead, but the best defense is to not install stuff, use autoruns from Sysinternals to see what is running, keep the kernel clean.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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Munchies_Matt wrote: "the webcam runs independently as a networked device "
That is kind of like saying "the sun is going to set in the evening".
How else would they get the audio/video feed, invite themselves over for tea and then ask if you can plug in this drive so they can download some video files?
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I know, stupid isn't it.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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I need to buy a new bath robe.
modified 11-Jun-14 22:00pm.
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You need to look good for the court photos after all!
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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It's definitely not bullshit.
Check out this talk by Christopher Soghoian[^], the Snowden leaks are very real, and bloody terrifying.
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It is. unless some software like I proposed has been installed.
Computers aren't magic, they are machines, and unless the machine is set up to route web cam data and CnC over a network its impossible.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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I love the child-like optimism 
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Really. Perhaps you can explain in real terms how a web cam can be controlled remotely and how its data can be routed over a network.
Or aren't you a capable enough software engineer to do so?
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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Vpro processors allow you to remotely connect to your computer even before os has loaded. You can give remote support at bios startup...
So imagine what can nsa can do...
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Only, as I said, if the software is installed.
Tell me, can the NSA start your car too? No, unless you install wireless network device that's unsecured, and which provides an interface to the cars ECU and electrical system.
Computers are no more or less a machine. If the route isn't there it cant be done.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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You don't know Jack Bauer... do you?
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Never heard of him.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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There are many ways to do it, most only require an ill fated click of the mouse.
Or like one i seen recently where if you right click to copy some source code for a cool admin script it actually downloads a program in the background an runs it. 
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Which confirms what I wrote. It can only be effected if a route is established.
This is why you have UAC, firewalls, etc and why you shouldn't go clicking on stuff on the net.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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If the NSA can watch me through my unplugged Web Cam, they are using technology I'm not aware of
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If they can watch me through my web cam they are going to need some sort of therapy very soon.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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