This is a thought I’ve heard very little about, but I have heard about it, and it makes me wonder – do the authorities plant torrents on sites and trace IPs? The FBI Cyber Investigations unit is responsible for investigating piracy and intellectual property theft, so if anyone was planting torrents it would be them. In 2004, 23 billion dollars was lost as a result of criminals swiping copyright-protected digital copies of music, movies, software and games, and distributing them through websites chat rooms, email, FTP and P2P networks. The FBI calls this “intellectual property theft”. Searching online I was unable to find any posts or anyone talking about actual planted “bait” torrents.
FBI: “P2P users could be asking for big trouble”
The FBI released a “Cyber Education Letter“, in this letter they warn users of P2P networks and express their interest in such networks. I think its safe to assume that with well over 23 billion dollars at stake this year, that the FBI has a vested interest in torrent distribution sites, and is likely putting some money into dealing with them. Does this mean that they are after the end user? I don’t know, it would of course surprise me since the costs, energy, and time to convict an end user are perhaps not the best use of resources. I suspect that those who are more responsible for direct distribution will be the ones targeted by the FBI.
Operation Web Snare:
The FBI openly discloses on their website an operation “Web Snare” in which “Criminal schemes included in this initiative include: …Intellectual Property Rights(IPR)…”. I wonder what current operations the FBI has running to catch those who are distributing pirated software. Do you think the FBI is planting torrents and tracing IPs? It certainly wouldn’t surprise me. Perhaps you have more information or thoughts you could share? Comments are welcome.
15 comments
Tweets that mention Do the authorities plant torrents? « Information Carnivore -- Topsy.com says:
Jun 21, 2010
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Daniel Snyder, Daniel Snyder. Daniel Snyder said: Operation web snare (FBI), intellectual property rights and more thoughts on bait torrents. http://bit.ly/ccRfHw […]
Scott Bergman says:
Nov 16, 2010
Interesting article Daniel! I’ve always figured someone was probably following back the IP addrersses, but I hadn’t given much thought to it being the FBI. It makes sense though that they would be doing that. Hmmm….food for thought.
Daniel Snyder says:
Nov 16, 2010
There’s no real evidence out there, and I question the FBI’s interest in chasing down end users, but it’s still worth some thought as you say!
To Torrent or Not To Torrent, Are torrents safe? | Info Carnivore says:
Nov 30, 2010
[…] « Tango Toolbar goes quietly Do the authorities plant torrents? […]
A. Tatum says:
Nov 30, 2010
I agree most-likely they are going after the big fish, since it would be easier to kill the source than thousands of small prosecutions.
Daniel Snyder says:
Nov 30, 2010
Yeah! I just wish I could find some info on how they are doing the tracking, and whether or not they are collecting IP addresses. The FBI clearly states on their website that they are interested in prosecuting end users as well, so it makes you wonder if they are doing any level of investigating. Of course convicting is a different story, but I wouldn’t be surprised if information is collected.
How Can I stay safe on a Torrent Site | Info Carnviore says:
Feb 9, 2011
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Sophia Magdalena Scholl says:
Mar 20, 2011
Hello,
My understanding is that “Carnivore” is a Microsoft product that is used to read everyone’s email, is connected to every ISP, at least in the states, and is part of the 1947 UK/USA Signals Intelligence Treaty, whose members include the US/UK/CAN/NZ/AUST, and several client countries, which I believe includes Spain.
My comment is about this system, and not about P2P, although I’m concerned about this as well.
I have had my email read constantly over several years and use TLS/https and TOR. None of these solutions seems to have worked, so I suspect that even “AES 256” is not secure. As a thought experiment, I’m wondering if there’s a more direct way to defeat Carnivore. I’ve been considering the idea of an “exploding” email. By this I mean an email that is designed to self destruct and/or cause a system shutdown (forced reboot), if opened by someone “other” than the intended recipient. I assume that this is technically possible, although I could use some input as to what capabilities such an email or email system would need to implement these features. I imagine that such a system would be able to defeat Carnivore, for a while at least, and strongly motivate the FBI and NSA to pick-on “easier” targets, as they would probably not want their systems to have to reboot eveytime they read one of these emails. If such a system were to prove sucessful, then it should be adopted by “every” email provider, without delay. Personally, I will no longer use an email provider based in the US or in “any” country that hosts an FBI LEGAT (Legal Attache). Frankly, I would prefer to use email based in countries that have severed diplomatic relations with the US. I think this would be even safer, at least on “one” end. I especially have concerns about Google and MSN as well. I believe this is why the Chinese shut down Google, and not because of censorship issues.
I would really like to see this diabolical system and it’s wretched mother Echelon fall on the ash-heap of history “yesterday!”
Gott mit dir, Sophie
Daniel Snyder says:
Mar 21, 2011
Hmmm. I don’t really want to get into this one, but you’re purely talking conspiracy theories here, and I’ve yet to hear of ANY evidence of anyone reading our emails.
Tara says:
May 8, 2011
I came across this when i googled, “plant torrents” as i’d read something else very briefly on it.
We had a room mate, who was downloading questionable material (actually doing time for it now in a federal prison), when the detectives instigated the search warrant; they’d been watching our IP address for 7 months before they took action.
He was using limewire.
In that same time, on the same IP, i had downloaded songs or programs. So maybe getting the end user, is dependent on what you’re downloading.
Daniel Snyder says:
May 9, 2011
I certainly agree it does have to do with the content one is looking for. After all the FBI is much more interested in taking predators and pedophiles off the streets that someone who is out to get the latest Black Eyed Peas tunes.
Sophia Magdalena Scholl says:
May 9, 2011
Here’s something I think is pretty scarry. It’s called IP Echelon:
http://www.ip-echelon.com/
Daniel Snyder says:
May 9, 2011
Scary looking stuff, going to research this and likely write up an article on it as well. Thanks for the tip-off!
IP-Echelon gathering intel on YOU and YOUR web activities | Info Carnivore says:
May 25, 2011
[…] for the sake of prosecuting end users for copyright infringement. You can read the article here, Do The Authorities Plant Torrents?. People are often asking me where are the safe torrent sites, and I have to laugh since my online […]
paskolos internetu says:
Jan 23, 2012
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