The hack of an NSA malware staging server is not unprecedented, but the publication of the take is. Here's what you need to know: (1/x)
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7) Why did they do it? No one knows, but I suspect this is more diplomacy than intelligence, related to the escalation around the DNC hack.
8) Circumstantial evidence and conventional wisdom indicates Russian responsibility. Here's why that is significant:
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9) This leak is likely a warning that someone can prove US responsibility for any attacks that originated from this malware server.
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10) That could have significant foreign policy consequences. Particularly if any of those operations targeted US allies.
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11) Particularly if any of those operations targeted elections.
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12) Accordingly, this may be an effort to influence the calculus of decision-makers wondering how sharply to respond to the DNC hacks.
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13) TL;DR: This leak looks like a somebody sending a message that an escalation in the attribution game could get messy fast.
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Bonus: When I came forward, NSA would have migrated offensive operations to new servers as a precaution - it's cheap and easy. So? So...
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The undetected hacker squatting on this NSA server lost access in June 2013. Rare public data point on the positive results of the leak.
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You're welcome,
@NSAGov. Lots of love. - 6 more replies
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Ed, what else were you saying before you got rudely "mustwatch" (not) interrupted?
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What circumstantial evidence are you referring to?
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So is this good or bad? Getting mixed signals with this information.
@Snowden - 2 more replies
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Are you sure you want to be pointing a finger at Russia while IN Russia?
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Is it a good idea to point the finger at the country you're exiled in? Be careful dude.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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are you getting paid or trading something for saying this stuff?
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- Don't you know enough about
@Snowden by now to realize he isn't motivated by personal gain? He could've kept his 6-figure pay... -
a former exiled spy has got to make money somehow
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@Snowden was never a spy. Possibly his supporters are helping meet his living expenses, but I don't imagine they are very high. -
maybe he sat at a desk,but his work was collecting secrets. Ok, analyst, you're right
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