On this day six years ago, the WikiLeaks released its “Vault 7” disclosures showing the hacking capabilities of the CIA.
The disclosures showed that the CIA is capable of hacking smartphones, computer operating systems, automobiles, messenger apps and smart TVs.
The release consisted of 8,761 documents reportedly coming from the CIA’s Center of Cyber Intelligence. It showed how the CIA could hack phones in order to bypass encrypted apps by accessing the information before the user can send the data. They can also tap into the microphone and video recording devices on phones even when they are powered off.
The CIA also developed a hack that puts Samsung Smart TVs in a fake off mode, which deceives an individual into thinking they are not being recorded when they actually are. The CIA can also leave false bread crumbs that will make it look like the hack is done by an adversary, such as Russia or China, if they are caught after the fact.
All of the Vault7 files can be found here.
Hellbound and Down 