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FBI Concerned About Implications of Counterfeit Cisco Gear

Posted by timothy on from the now-watch-these-chickens-well dept.

SpicyBrownMustard writes "An FBI PowerPoint presentation provides details about a criminal investigation into counterfeit CISCO hardware originating from China, and sold by Gold/Silver partners to numerous US government, military, and intelligence agencies. The concern of the article's author and the FBI is that the counterfeit equipment may be state-sponsored to aid in accessing otherwise secure systems (slides 46+47). Says the article author: 'The threat is real. Compromised hardware of potentially hostile foreign origin sits within secure networks of the US government, military, and intelligence services. And as you now see, the FBI has been concerned about it.'" We've mentioned the seizure of some of this equipment before, but this presentation adds quite a bit of detail, and highlights the FBI's concern of Chinese government involvement.

11 of 273 comments (clear)

  1. The FBI Followed Up With by neoform · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's not fair, if people are using the Chineese pre-wiretapped routers, we can't get people to use OUR specially pre-wiretapped routers!
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    MABASPLOOM!
  2. Solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Only use network gear that was built in the US. *snicker*

  3. Re:Nightmare by neoform · · Score: 2, Funny

    The solution: Buy a router from every major router maker, then use them all chain-linked together. That way you get super-ultra firewall protection.. and unless the Chinese AND the NSA are working together, you can't be hacked! FLAWLESS VICTORY!

    --
    MABASPLOOM!
  4. Uhhh... by Kingrames · · Score: 2, Funny

    Who cares about counterfeit Disco gear?

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    If you can read this, I forgot to post anonymously.
    1. Re:Uhhh... by everphilski · · Score: 2, Funny

      Disco Stu only buys the genuine article. Oh yea, baby...

  5. Re:Time for state-sponsored fablabs by Lonedar · · Score: 4, Funny

    Ah, yes. A robotic factory would be a great solution to this problem indeed.
    In order to cut the costs to a bare minimum I recommend we order the robots from China.

  6. Oh No! by UncleWilly · · Score: 3, Funny

    I also suspect my Lenovo/Thinkpad..whenever I'm in the room it seems to be...watching me.

  7. Re:Nightmare by neoform · · Score: 4, Funny

    I trust neither Cisco nor the FBI.


    On an unrelated note, ever since the NSA started giving me free Cisco routers, I can't help but think they're just honest guys trying to help out regular Joes like me.
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    MABASPLOOM!
  8. Re:FUD by TheVelvetFlamebait · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yeah? And I think you're a CHINESE SPY!
     
    ;)

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    You know, there is a difference between trolling and pointing out the flaws in your reasoning. Just saying.
  9. Re:Nightmare by TheLink · · Score: 2, Funny

    The grey hairs are because even your very DNA is being subverted and counterfeited.

    That's what you get with cheap clones.

    Just wait till Monsanto and friends catch up with you. Unauthorized reproduction and all that.

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  10. Re:Nightmare by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    is... your real name Kissinger?