FBI Caught On Camera Returning Seized Server 267
sunbird writes "As previously covered on Slashdot, on April 18th the FBI seized a server located in a New York colocation facility shared by May First / People Link and Riseup.net. The server, which was operated by the European Counter Network ('ECN'), the oldest independent internet service provider in Europe, was seized in relation to bomb threats sent to the University of Pittsburgh using a Mixmaster anonymous remailer hosted on the server (search warrant). The FBI's action has been criticized by the EFF. Predictably, the threats continued even after the server seizure. On April 24th, the FBI quietly returned the server, without notifying either Mayfirst / People Link or riseup, and were caught on video doing it."
Re:So, they returned a server (Score:3, Funny)
Returned what server? That server was always there.
Re:Anonymous mails to send bomb threats. (Score:4, Funny)
in other news, the local keystone cops returned a section of highway in the middle of the night, hoping to avoid being noticed...
that particular section of highway was used by a group of bandits to threaten passer-byes.
after that section was removed at great inconvenience to everyone involved, the bandits simply moved down the highway a couple of miles...
Ah, Yes, the Tinfoil Hat Game! (Score:5, Funny)
As you pointed out, this is a VERY fast turn-around ... almost like they hope that people will use it in a "business as usual" fashion ... like a honeypot?
Not even telling them that it was back so that the owners could decide if they even wanted to risk leaving it in place? VERY suspicious.
The FBI also left a dolly to move the server. Unfortunately the dolly is filled with microphones and wi-fi packet recorders. The FBI also left a fruit basket as an apology. Unfortunately the fruit is laced with mind control chemicals. The FBI also left an apology note. Unfortunately the text is interlaced with words that activate their sleeper agent inside the company.
I mean I can play the conspiracy game all day, yeah if they installed spyware on it, the FBI are pieces of shit. At least have the decency to request the compliance of the company and let them decide to help you track down a scofflaw. At least you could then tell the parents and students that this company won't comply with your investigation so your hands are tied until further leads.
I mean, come on, you think that the FBI is that savvy? You think that any two bit network or systems engineer wouldn't be able to pick up on weirdness in network traffic or processes running from/on the machine phoning home to the FBI? Any company worth its salt that accepts a server or hardware back from anybody proceeds to rebuild it from scratch. Flash or upgrade the firmware if you want! It's so hilariously convenient that law enforcement is a barrel of bumbling idiots when they're supposed to be helping us and when they're trying to help us they are seventeen steps ahead of us and already have infiltrated my underwear drawer. In this story they go straight from idiots who can't understand that logging is turned off on this server to installing honeypot software/devices in two weeks into a device they just got. Right. VERY suspicious. And let's face it, this bomb threat guy has already moved on to another remailer and he's not going to return to this remailer that he has inconvenienced.
Re:So, they returned a server (Score:5, Funny)
Apparently now they need to get a return warrant.
Re:Who broke slashdot? (Score:2, Funny)
Me too, they should get their new Business Intelligence team on it.
Re:So, they returned a server (Score:5, Funny)
Way to misrepresent the facts to make your case.
You know damn well nobody would make a fuss over a bag of chips.