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United States Security Politics

CIA Prepping For Possible Cyber Strike Against Russia (nbcnews.com) 352

Slashdot reader schwit1 reports that the Obama administration "is contemplating an unprecedented cyber covert action against Russia in retaliation for alleged Russian interference in the American presidential election," according to U.S. intelligence officials who spoke to NBC News: Current and former officials with direct knowledge of the situation say the CIA has been asked to deliver options to the White House for a wide-ranging "clandestine" cyber operation designed to harass and "embarrass" the Kremlin leadership. The sources did not elaborate on the exact measures the CIA was considering, but said the agency had already begun opening cyber doors, selecting targets and making other preparations for an operation. Former intelligence officers told NBC News that the agency had gathered reams of documents that could expose unsavory tactics by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Vice President Joe Biden told "Meet the Press" moderator Chuck Todd on Friday that "we're sending a message" to Putin and that "it will be at the time of our choosing, and under the circumstances that will have the greatest impact." When asked if the American public will know a message was sent, the vice president replied, "Hope not."

Not mounting a response would weaken U.S. credibility, one senior U.S. official said, while others said hundreds of millions of dollars has been allocated to the team mounting the attacks. Thursday US officials familiar with the investigation told CNN there was "mounting evidence" that Russia was supplying leaked emails to WikiLeaks, and last week in a conference call organized by the Clinton campaign, former Acting CIA Director Mike Morrell said it was "absolutely clear... WikiLeaks and Guccifer 2 are working with the Russians on this."
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CIA Prepping For Possible Cyber Strike Against Russia

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  • by ArtemaOne ( 1300025 ) on Saturday October 15, 2016 @09:36PM (#53083267)
    We're really escalating toward what could become war over completely unproven allegations that Russia hacked a private organization like the DNC? This wasn't even a hack of the real government. This is pure insanity.
    • How do you know the allegations are completely unproven?

      • by bigfinger76 ( 2923613 ) on Saturday October 15, 2016 @09:42PM (#53083293)
        Because we've yet to be shown a single shred of evidence to back up the claim. Statements by 'anonymous government sources' don't count.
        • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

          by PopeRatzo ( 965947 )

          Statements by 'anonymous government sources' don't count.

          The Russian hacks of the state election systems were not announced by "anonymous sources". They came directly from the FBI, as well as election officials in Arizona (red state) and Illinois (blue state). Oh, and Florida (red state).

          https://www.washingtonpost.com... [washingtonpost.com]

          http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/12/... [cnn.com]

          https://www.theguardian.com/te... [theguardian.com]

          • by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 15, 2016 @10:49PM (#53083509)

            No one wants to read links that lead to propaganda organizations writing articles about corrupt 3 letter organizations.

          • by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 15, 2016 @10:50PM (#53083513)

            WaPo, The Clinton News Network, and theguardian.com are not reliable sources of information when the DNC is involved any more than RT is trustworthy when Putin is in the news.

          • by AHuxley ( 892839 ) on Saturday October 15, 2016 @11:13PM (#53083591) Journal
            The washingtonpost has:
            "IP addresses listed" and near the end its " “not aware of any specific or credible cybersecurity threats relating to the upcoming general election systems,”"
            CNN notes:
            "We have seen no access into statewide registration database and no manipulation of that database." and "FBI investigators believe the the hacks and attempted intrusions of state election sites were carried out by hackers working for Russian intelligence."
            The Guardian has
            "in calling out what it says is Russian-directed hacking."
            So its back to ip ranges a "calling out" and a 'believe"?
          • Statements by 'anonymous government sources' don't count.

            The Russian hacks of the state election systems were not announced by "anonymous sources". They came directly from the FBI, as well as election officials in Arizona (red state) and Illinois (blue state). Oh, and Florida (red state).

            https://www.washingtonpost.com... [washingtonpost.com]

            http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/12/... [cnn.com]

            https://www.theguardian.com/te... [theguardian.com]

            Remember tho' - these Einsteins believe that the FBI is in on the Fix, cuz you know, they didn't put Grandma in a pantssuit in front of a firing squad.

          • by AJWM ( 19027 )

            This would be that same FBI that didn't think Hillary Clinton did do anything worth bringing charges over? That FBI?

        • Further (Score:5, Insightful)

          by s.petry ( 762400 ) on Saturday October 15, 2016 @10:34PM (#53083473)

          The claim defies history and basic reasoning. Wikileaks gained notoriety by publishing a shit-ton of information from a US Soldier fed up with the system. The Guardian (now looks like a leftist rag) gained notoriety by publishing a shit-ton of information from a NSA contractor fed up with the system. Obama has jailed a record 31 Whistle blowers during his term so far, and wanted a 32nd in jail who fled to Russia. They also want Assange in jail or dead. Make it 33.

          The DNC leak is thought to be attributed to the person killed in the Robbery where nothing was Stolen. We have countless people working in Federal law enforcement fed up with the system who are forced to leak information for fear of being jailed or worse. The damages from these dumps are not anti-America, they are anti-corrupt politician. Russian gains nothing from seeing Hillary lie, they probably laugh and think "just like us".

          Write your Congress and Senate representatives and demand a halt to any action. It could be blowing smoke, but given the massive amount of visible corruption I'm not so sure. I sure as hell don't trust Obama or Clinton who have on numerous occasions stated that they want to censor web sites "they" find unfavorable. Consider that the US is currently bombing Yemen without any public inspection of policy and media refuses to talk about it. They are way too busy fabricating false victims to smear Trump to talk about the real world.

          • Heh.......so what you are saying is that John Podesta released his own emails, then wiped his phone as a coverup? Well played John, well played.
          • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

            by quantaman ( 517394 )

            The DNC leak is thought to be attributed to the person killed in the Robbery where nothing was Stolen.

            Only by people who are desperately trying to deny Russia's role.

            First he wasn't that important a figure, there's no reason to think he would have had access to all of the docs that were leaked.

            Second a fatal mugging where nothing is stolen actually makes a lot of sense. Mugger comes up, victim decides to make a run for it, the mugger panics, shoots, and runs like hell because running away from a murder rap is more important than grabbing a wallet.

            Third, he was conscious and breathing when he was found [snopes.com]. So y

          • by popo ( 107611 )

            Mod parent up.

        • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

          by Ol Olsoc ( 1175323 )

          Because we've yet to be shown a single shred of evidence to back up the claim. Statements by 'anonymous government sources' don't count.

          Perhaps you might tell us why this is the case? Seriously - you figeu=re intel is going to give us IP addresses, phone numbers and all? Or are you an alt.right person who wouldn't believe any evidence anyhow.

          Here's your cohort where I confirm your alt.right street cred. http://www.chicagotribune.com/... [chicagotribune.com]

          You might try for a position on old pussy grabber's staff, after he is elected.

        • by swalve ( 1980968 )
          I don't think the POTUS is an anonymous source, Champ.
          • What evidence has Obama put forward to back up these claims? Keep in mind, anonymous government sources don't count!
      • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

        by ogdenk ( 712300 )

        Even if they are proven..... really shitty behavior, some of it even criminal, was exposed that we as voters certainly have a right to know about. How dare they expose deep-rooted corruption! As far as I'm concerned, I'd stop short of thanking the Russians.

        As far as Russia influencing the election.... exactly how many governments have we toppled and how many sovereign nations are there where we have tried to directly influence their local politics? This is pure hypocrisy. Personally, I say let's get the

        • by bondsbw ( 888959 )

          Even if they are proven..... really shitty behavior, some of it even criminal, was exposed that we as voters certainly have a right to know about. How dare they expose deep-rooted corruption!

          But how do you even know that supposedly-criminal behavior actually happened?

          Oh, maybe because our government is launching a cyber war against Russia. This action is pretty much admitting all of it is true.

        • Even if they are proven..... really shitty behavior, some of it even criminal, was exposed that we as voters certainly have a right to know about. How dare they expose deep-rooted corruption!

          You figure a pogram would be good? Extraordinary rendition on every one of your political enemies, the rel thing, non if this wiimpy waterboarding. Beat 'em within an inch of their lives first, then take dying statements and all evil will be banished form the world if only we realize that th eends justify the means.

          Dood! Here's a good question.

          All of the shit coming out has been about those Demoncrats.

          Given your anything is good, legal or not outlook, did you ever wonder why it's only the democrat

          • by ogdenk ( 712300 )

            Trump does a good enough job on his own to prove he's unfit. Hillary is much more effective in the silencing criticism and in the suppressing evidence department.

            Voting for either of those clowns is insane.

            • Trump does a good enough job on his own to prove he's unfit. Hillary is much more effective in the silencing criticism and in the suppressing evidence department.

              Voting for either of those clowns is insane.

              Yeah, she's killed 52 people now, not to mention th eones Bill had killed over his career.

              Vote Cthlulu - why settle for the lesser of evils?

            • This sounds like a good time to start a new political party. I think Americans would really jump on that bandwagon.
    • by lucm ( 889690 ) on Saturday October 15, 2016 @09:49PM (#53083325)

      That's what you get when you elect people who see the federal government as their personal army. And yet that s nothing compared to what would happen under Clnton.

      Yeah, let's all get our panties in a bunch over the buffoon and his crude behavior and lack of class, meanwhile the spawn of Satan is getting ready to go back to the White House to monetize the presidency again. Who cares if American lives are lost in the process, as long as it's not her princess she doesn't care. There's already a trail of corpses behind that couple that makes Gacy look like Mother Teresa.

      • Re: (Score:2, Troll)

        by Boronx ( 228853 )

        Welcome to Slashdot, where unhinged ranting is modded insightful.

        • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

          by KiloByte ( 825081 )

          Welcome to Slashdot, where unhinged ranting is modded insightful.

          Show me then a single word in lucm's post that is wrong. Trump is a crude buffoon but he's calling for avoiding wars while the Lying Bitch has already caused one or, stretching it a bit, two, without even being president yet. Yes, she rather than Obama. And there's far more damage than mere wars she's about to cause.

          And, as someone who used to be a Satan worshipper (as a dumb teenager...), I strenuously object to naming the witch[1] a "spawn of Satan". In my country it's a crime to "insult religious fee

          • by AJWM ( 19027 )

            She's worse than Putin, she's Lennart Poettering level of badness.

            Oh, come on now. I mean, I don't like her either, but nobody is that bad.

      • by bongey ( 974911 )

        I really do think part of the House of Cards added items from Clintons in re-making the British show.

    • Word on the street is that it's a war started specifically to win the election, to whip up some patriotism for the ruling party.

      Specifically, it's noted that if we actually wanted to do this, then we would not advertise it ahead of time [twitter.com] (scroll down a few entries).

      We did a similar thing in Syria the last couple of days by announcing an attack, then filming the attack.

      Obama you're a lame-duck president, you've done almost nothing in 8 years, and please don't get us into WWIII before you leave!. Please PLEASE

      • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

        by h33t l4x0r ( 4107715 )

        Word on the street is that it's a war started specifically to win the election, to whip up some patriotism for the ruling party.

        And by the street do you mean Fox News and Drudge Report?

    • Also: Are you unaware that it's not just "a private organization" that has been attacked? CBS just now reported that 32 states have asked to feds for help against attacks on their election infrastructure.

      • Do you have any sources? Election systems shouldn't be hackable. They should be networked but not on the internet. That's really poor planning.
    • Completely agree.

      A democratic president using the CIA to attack speech and actions against his political party. You might not like it but our political leaders and political issues affect other nations around the world. They may not get to vote but I see no reason they shouldn't be able to sway voters. Especially with something like truth and exposing hypocrisy. Our CIA has been swaying foreign elections since it's creation.

      Our political leaders are all for violating our privacy and constitutional rights ye

      • What I find interesting is none of the exposed information is claimed to be falsified.

        Nonsense. The default position of the Clinton campaign is that none of these documents can be trusted to be authentic. That assertion hasn't survived contact with reality, however.

    • This is pure insanity.

      This is pure show for the benefit of those drooling fools known as my fellow Americans.

    • by h33t l4x0r ( 4107715 ) on Saturday October 15, 2016 @10:38PM (#53083485)

      We're really escalating toward what could become war over completely unproven allegations that Russia hacked a...

      Well on the bright side, a nuclear winter would offset global warming. Unless of course that's a Chinese hoax.

    • by AHuxley ( 892839 )
      But timezones match working hours, ip ranges and easy to discover code litter. In the past the code also something to do with a board game called "Chess" thats part of compulsory education in some nations.
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org] ""two or more connected tools/tactics to attack a specific target similar to the chess strategy"
      • by AJWM ( 19027 )

        But timezones match working hours, ip ranges and easy to discover code litter.

        All of which are dead easy to fake if you're doing a false-flag operation, and should be at least obfuscated as a part of normal operational security.

        Unless, of course, that's what they want you to think. (So clearly, I cannot choose the cup in front of you.)

    • If the NSA is actually doing all the hacking they are accused of, then they would know where it was coming from. If they are not doing all that spying, then they really need to spend more money on public relations.
    • by popo ( 107611 )

      Exactly.

      There is zero proof that the Russian government hacked the DNC. Zippo.

      What this is, is a president desperately trying to stay true to his promise to not put more boots on the ground. (Commendably). But also keep favor with the war-party heading into an election where the Democrats are traditionally unloved. (Not so commendably).

      But... The war-party knows only too well that this is a trap: A back-door into starting the war they've been dreaming about for decades.

  • Fuck it. (Score:4, Insightful)

    by ruir ( 2709173 ) on Saturday October 15, 2016 @09:38PM (#53083269)
    Since when is slashdot a propaganda tool?
    • by amiga3D ( 567632 )

      Oh come on. Where have you been?

    • Re:Fuck it. (Score:4, Insightful)

      by bongey ( 974911 ) on Saturday October 15, 2016 @11:08PM (#53083579)

      Slashdot has pretty much been blocking any anti-clinton stories. Even when they are from neutral stories from people like Glenn Greenwald.
      I have 3 submissions one from wsj and two from the intercept just die.

      *Hillary wants "Manhattan-like project" for secure communications the government can read. https://theintercept.com/2016/... [theintercept.com]

      *Glenn Greenwald writing about the cozy relationship with the press. https://slashdot.org/submissio... [slashdot.org]
      *WSJ Story about the press burying clinton stories. https://slashdot.org/submissio... [slashdot.org]

      All we get nonsense stories about the russians and Obama trying to start cold war 2.0 just to get Clinton in the White House.
      Very obvious which candidate the /. editors want.

  • by Black Parrot ( 19622 ) on Saturday October 15, 2016 @09:39PM (#53083273)

    since we're talking about it before it happens.

    • by amiga3D ( 567632 )

      It's clandestine because someone is using a computer to do it. That's the definition now.

    • since we're talking about it before it happens.

      Uh, dude, they said to not say anything to the Russians about it. I know I'm not going to tattle, are you?

  • Saber Rattling (Score:4, Insightful)

    by alternative_right ( 4678499 ) on Saturday October 15, 2016 @09:43PM (#53083297) Homepage Journal

    Strong leaders just go ahead and do that cyberstrike.

    Weak leaders hint, mince and taunt, but never come to the table with force.

    This is why the USA is losing prestige worldwide. We have become a wimpy bully instead of a strong, clear force.

    • by AJWM ( 19027 )

      This.

      You just do it ... and make it look like the attack came from China.

    • by Tablizer ( 95088 )

      Hold on, Tex. Often the threat alone can achieve the same goal as the attack, but with less lives and money. Read "Art of War". But, you have to know when to use what technique skillfully. "Always do X" is low-brow.

      In this case the public doesn't have enough info to make a judgement about which technique is best.

  • I'm with Snowden (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Dunbal ( 464142 ) * on Saturday October 15, 2016 @09:44PM (#53083299)

    "is contemplating an unprecedented cyber covert action against Russia"

    Usually the first step in covert actions is you don't tell anyone. Especially not the enemy.

  • Don't contemplate an unprecedented cyber covert action against the messenger.
  • by fred911 ( 83970 ) on Saturday October 15, 2016 @09:54PM (#53083345) Journal

    This is typical of people acting irresponsible. The real blame here is the people responsible for securing the data in the original place. They are the ones at fault and are using the media to distract from the fact that they are the failures in the first place. Had they done their job, secured their data, they wouldn't be searching high and low for someone to blame.

      If I leave $100 bill on a table in public and return to find it gone, I'm the one to blame. It's time the parties responsible for securing systems with worldwide access to stand up and admit their failures and to start doing their jobs.

  • by Anonymous Coward

    No, really. Not that this is news that doesn't matter, but why is NBC broadcasting that the CIA is planning a huge cyberattack? If this is a serious attack then shouldn't they wait until they carried out the operation before telling the world. They're giving a heads up to Russia by publishing this story, and I'm assuming that NBC got the greenlight to tell the world about this, because I can't imagine that they'd publish this story if that wasn't the case.

    • by AHuxley ( 892839 )
      Given the removal of protections like the Smith–Mundt Act "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith–Mundt_Act" domestic propaganda is now legal.
      Once all this would have just been passed to a waiting international press.
      Now its been pushed domestically.
      "Revealed: US spy operation that manipulates social media" (18 March 2011)
      https://www.theguardian.com/te... [theguardian.com]
      or "British army creates team of Facebook warriors" (31 January 2015)
      https://www.theguardian.com/uk... [theguardian.com]
      So the past legal press protection
  • Recommend everyone who thinks this is a good idea should read Cyber War . In short summary, America probably has good offensive capabilities, but pretty much NO defenses and HIGH vulnerability. The Chinese are actually best positioned to fight and win any cyber war, and I wouldn't even be surprised if they are framing the Russians right now...

    However, my main disappointment just now is with the state of Slashdot. No prior mention of "defense"? Where has all the insight gone?

    • by bongey ( 974911 )

      Probably right on that.
      Why would a Russian from Russian use Russian VPN to hack america?
      And use codenames fancybear and cozybear.

      More likely the real hackers purposely leading bread crumbs back to Russia.

  • Irony? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Jfetjunky ( 4359471 ) on Saturday October 15, 2016 @11:03PM (#53083557)
    Does anyone else not find it hilarious there are reports of a covert CIA "cyberattack" plastered all over the Internet?

    "Hey, we're gonna attack Russia soon, but don't tell anyone, k?" *nudge* *nudge* *wink* *wink*
  • Putin is a former KGB agent with a mind trapped in a cold-war mentality where the west and the USA in particular are the greatest threat to Russia and out to get him.
    I'm not sure it is such a good idea to fan the flames of his paranoia.

  • Blame Trump for her own lousy security.

    Drone-kill Assange.

    Start a cyber war with Russia.

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