Osama Bin Laden Didn't Encrypt His Files

An anonymous reader writes "If you're running a terrorist organization, it might make sense to encrypt your files. Clearly Osama Bin Laden didn't realize that — as some of the documents seized during the raid on his hideout in Pakistan have been made public for the first time. 17 electronic documents, which were found on USB sticks, memory cards and computer hard drives after US Navy Seals killed the terrorist chief in the May 2011 raid, are being released in their original Arabic alongside English translations by the Combating Terrorism Center, reports Sophos."

Comments

Re:Security through obscurity

[Anonymous Coward]

Good question. How do we know we weren't just chasing a figment of our governments imagination for the purpose of creating an undeclared war for which corporations profited handsomely?

There is little question money has been made from these wars and a whole lot of evidence our invasions were for profit regardless of the stated reasons.

Re:And Still

[madprof]

And it took 2 and a bit years for the following administration to work out that he was in fact dead and then fake his killing, an event in which Al Qaeda collaborated by also confirming that they thought he was dead?

Did you know if you punch yourself in the face very hard someone will give you $500? Try it. I guarantee you'll get the money.

Re:Security through obscurity

[Zemran]

Just because there is a wealth of circumstantial evidence does not mean that there was a reason not to follow due process and provide evidence. Which still begs the question "Why?" It is about the proof. The OP did not say he did not believe that OBL is alive, what he said is that no evidence was produced and he makes a good and valid point. I find all the flamebait accusers etc. worrying in that they want to believe the propaganda so badly that anyone that questions the obvious inconsistencies is called a troll. Why are you all so frightened to know the truth? We are being spoon fed little tit bits to rally around and say "what a great guberment we got" but in reality we have seen nothing. What we have here could be another government fake. We have no idea because there is no clarity.

Re:Because SEALs aren't the police

[rtb61]

Sorry pal, no trial by law, innocent until proven guilty. Under law he did not 'do' anything he was accused of doing plenty of stuff but nothing, absolutely nothing was proven in a court of law.

Just in case your completely unaware, the court of law is not about keeping criminals honest it is about keeping government honest and forcing them to prove their case before punishing anybody. Yeah, I know. slippery, slidey, make up our own rules as we go along, memos, order of the day, rules of engagement (which surprise, surprise aren't laws of engagement, just military standing orders), rah, rah, rah, kill, kill, kill, bullshit, bullshit.