Stratfor

amateursurgeon said:
Hmm...

Faceless, nebulous enemy who can't be traced? Check
Threat that the general public doesn't really understand? Check
Enemy that can never be fully defeated by its very nature? Check

Sounds like Anonymous are shaping up to be the next Global Boogeyman that the Government uses to justify whatever restrictions on your liberty they wish.

Don't be surprised if there's a massive "cyberattack" in the near future causing huge physical (power station, hospital) or financial ( big savings bank ) damage to the general public.

Just enough to cause outrage and demands (by the press) that "something be done", and then the Great Internet Lockdown can begin in earnest.
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Wasn't there a movie like this years ago? Great Gov't crackdown on Hackers?

Just like terrorists, hackers are simply tools in the hands of misc Govt's. But also just like terrorists, it would be nice if they were not engaged in criminal behavior that justifies the crackdown.

The people want crime eliminated so they for the most part do not care about the civil liberties of "others" - of course that comes tumbling down when their own civil liberties are violated.

But no one cares when a few extra drug dealers or whatever get killed here and there - because the public is sick of the shit those drug dealers cause. Same with hackers - the public is sick of having to use anti-virus crap etc all of which they associate with Hackers - so they willingly give up rights to fix the problem.

Is there a better solution?

I know that small businesses that buy a $3,000 billboard that gets tagged. That's $3000 to a small business and its all they have - then some POS tags it - that business would be willing to vote for vigilante snipers against taggers I am certain. Its all the same - taggers through terrorists - people are tired of the shit and do not want it to interfere with their lives so they give up rights in order to allow the "authorities" to handle it.

Once again - can you offer a better solution?
 


I have to say that I am really weirded out by this.

As some may know, I work for a thinktank / information portal in international security as my 9-5.
(I am the head of the IT department there.)

Stratfor is one of our partners, they provide publications and we were in talks about featuring their videos on our site as well.

Targeting think tanks like that is strange. StratFor is more of a publisher and research organization than a heavyweight in the "military-industrial complex"(tm)

Most think tanks are like that, actually. While your opinions /reseach papers/ analysis might sway someone in power to one way or the other, they are not a driving force behind any military operation.

Just... weird.

::emp::

PS: Go ahead and ask your questions. I will not reveal my identity nor will I reveal my organization on this forum. Both can be verified by some other mod if needed.
 
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Don't these think tanks usually have security clearances? And publish classified as well as unclassified studies?
 
Yuckystuff said:
Still waiting on them to take down Facebook, and Dow Jones, and Chase and on and on and on...
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emp said:
Targeting think tanks like that is strange. StratFor is more of a publisher and research organization than a heavyweight in the "military-industrial complex"(tm)

Most think tanks are like that, actually. While your opinions /reseach papers/ analysis might sway someone in power to one way or the other, they are not a driving force behind any military operation.

Just... weird.
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I think the MO of Anonymous is pretty obvious at this point... They have some skills but these skills do have their limits.

As much as they want to take down Facebook and Chase, facebook and chase have already put up a sufficient firewall to stop their attacks.

Meanwhile sony and stratfor did not. They weren't the Prime anonymous target but they were attainable lower-tier targets.
 
geomark said:
Don't these think tanks usually have security clearances? And publish classified as well as unclassified studies?
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Really depends on the organisation. (We do not, for example)

Still, a study is just that. A think tank is not a puppet master lurking in the shadows. While one might be telling some government where to go and what to do, the government does not have to follow the recommendations anywhere.

edit for clarity:

The govmint of some place might come to thinktank X and say: We got situation A here, what info can you give us?
Then the people make a study or compile past studies for the gubmint and presto.

MOST think tanks are just that, researchers... some give courses for money, or sell their publications, or do consulting or organize conferences.

Most are born out of a "do good" or "preserve peace" mentality, some are out of Universities, most are very small and chronically underfunded, though.

Viewing them as "being part of the evil military-industrial shadow empire" can be done, if you tilt your head sideways and squint really hard and the light is bad...

::emp::
 
(O_o) said:
actually stratfor was an excellent target from #antisec

If you look through the email list, a lot of .govs + .mil and interesting emails.
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That makes a lot of sense that the .gov/.mil guys subscribe to Stratfor.

Stratfor provided independent analysis of world events. They published 'their' view on things. Unlike popular belief, .gov is not all knowing and only has so many 'analysts' working for them. It's quite nice to get a independent 'different' opinion then the ones an intelligence organization for instance is pushing. Fresh outside views always help. It might fill something in that was previously overlooked.

Wouldn't you want your public officials get the most current and various opinions out there?
 
emp said:
Really depends on the organisation. (We do not, for example)

Still, a study is just that. A think tank is not a puppet master lurking in the shadows. While one might be telling some government where to go and what to do, the government does not have to follow the recommendations anywhere.

edit for clarity:

The govmint of some place might come to thinktank X and say: We got situation A here, what info can you give us?
Then the people make a study or compile past studies for the gubmint and presto.

MOST think tanks are just that, researchers... some give courses for money, or sell their publications, or do consulting or organize conferences.

Most are born out of a "do good" or "preserve peace" mentality, some are out of Universities, most are very small and chronically underfunded, though.

Viewing them as "being part of the evil military-industrial shadow empire" can be done, if you tilt your head sideways and squint really hard and the light is bad...

::emp::
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What is your opinion on the book "Confessions of an Economic Hitman"?
 
If the info that they got is sensitive in anyway they will 'accidently' slip in the shower and claim suicide.

I agree moar exposure of those corrupt politicians is a good thing, but don't mess with the military, they don't like to be fucked with.

Thank god I don't live in the states though. Censorship is around the corner at the rate they are going. That's how they got UIEGA in, blow shit outta proportion in the media and WHAM
 
Hale.Pane said:
What is your opinion on the book "Confessions of an Economic Hitman"?
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Conspiracy bullshit that sells because people want to believe this happens.
Go and read the wikipedia page on this piece of crap, gives you enough info.

::emp::
 
Could you elaborate on "crap" ? Is it the part about more powerful countries not hesitating to abuse their power ? Is it the author himself ?
 
 
Hale.Pane said:
Could you elaborate on "crap" ? Is it the part about more powerful countries not hesitating to abuse their power ? Is it the author himself ?
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I will again refer you to the wikipedia entry.
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Just look at the "controversy and criticism" section.

Simply put: This is not how things work. Of course powerful countries use and abuse their powers, but not in that way.
The book has the reek of an Ian Fleming novel and should be treated as such.

A disclaimer is needed here, I think.

:alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert:


While I know a bit about international relations and such, I am not a researcher at my 9-5. I am the head of IT.


:alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert:

::emp::
 
emp said:
I will again refer you to the wikipedia entry.
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


:alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert:


While I know a bit about international relations and such, I am not a researcher at my 9-5. I am the head of IT.


:alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert: :alert:

::emp::
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I did read the wikipedia entry before but didnt really trust it (I have wiki edits). I wanted to hear it from you. Thank you for your time.
 
Well, I was not giving my opinion because it is well summed up over on Wikipedia.

The interesting part, however is NOT the wiki entry, but the linked entries.
I could not do better than link you to the same articles / websites / interviews.

The most striking one was opposing the real world developments to the ones described in the book.
Like this one mentioned:
For instance he points out that Indonesia reduced its infant mortality and illiteracy rates by two-thirds after economists persuaded its leaders to borrow money in 1970.
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::emp::
 
I wonder if those CC's are good for something.. although most of them (if not all) are cancelled by now.
 
emp said:
LOL .. all down.

::emp::
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?? the tor url still works fine brah :)
http://ibhg35kgdvnb7jvw.onion/lulzxmas/stratfor_full.tar.gz

the others, probably because a 200+mb file being downloaded 1000s of times an hour really drains a sites BW + dozens of removal requests from users/companies/LE agencies that have emails or credit cards in the leaked info.

anyways, reup'd for the curious cats who dont know how to use tor.

stratfor_full.txt - 30.3 mb
stratfor_users.csv - 203 mb

Get stratfor_full.tar on Wupload.com
https://rapidshare.com/files/2501296057/stratfor_full.tar
 
Gertex said:
That makes a lot of sense that the .gov/.mil guys subscribe to Stratfor.

Stratfor provided independent analysis of world events. They published 'their' view on things. Unlike popular belief, .gov is not all knowing and only has so many 'analysts' working for them. It's quite nice to get a independent 'different' opinion then the ones an intelligence organization for instance is pushing. Fresh outside views always help. It might fill something in that was previously overlooked.

Wouldn't you want your public officials get the most current and various opinions out there?
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its not that they are using stratfor, its seeing how insecure/stupid people who work in Government are. its very very frightening.

for instance:

UKL2n.png


ok this guy works for DHS, his password md5 hashed, great, hopefully its secure enough it wont get cracked.

OH FUCK WHAT

d4d71aa58fdb9e8d6409d414626d63b0 decypts to dhs

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! this idiot made his password 'dhs' . how secure!

OK ok, so you're thinking, alright maybe thats just a singular occurrence you picked out. big deal.

so here we go, ok, works for the internet crimes division for the FBI. he must have security in mind right?
4aOIj.png


ok so lets see, 0b6baa8c1e120281b338b8478a4c264c decrypts to stratfor
WHAT IN the fuck !?

you be the judge. dumps and hacks like this make me lose faith in humanity and governments. stay safe and secure my friends.
 
(O_o) said:
its not that they are using stratfor, its seeing how insecure/stupid people who work in Government are. its very very frightening.

for instance:

UKL2n.png


ok this guy works for DHS, his password md5 hashed, great, hopefully its secure enough it wont get cracked.

OH FUCK WHAT

d4d71aa58fdb9e8d6409d414626d63b0 decypts to dhs

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! this idiot made his password 'dhs' . how secure!

OK ok, so you're thinking, alright maybe thats just a singular occurrence you picked out. big deal.

so here we go, ok, works for the internet crimes division for the FBI. he must have security in mind right?
4aOIj.png


ok so lets see, 0b6baa8c1e120281b338b8478a4c264c decrypts to stratfor
WHAT IN the fuck !?

you be the judge. dumps and hacks like this make me lose faith in humanity and governments. stay safe and secure my friends.
Click to expand...

That's what happens when one gets a salary for doing zilch and internal policies are relaxed to please the big cheeses
 
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