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Heathrow Airport Security Files Found on USB Stick In The Street (bbc.co.uk)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the removable-storage-media dept.

"The BBC is reporting a security probe after security data about Heathrow was discovered on a USB found on the street," writes long-time Slashdot readers Martin S. From the article: The Sunday Mirror reported that the USB stick had 76 folders with maps, videos and documents, including details of measures used to protect the Queen. A man found it in west London and handed it into the paper, it said. Heathrow said all of its security plans had been reviewed and it was "confident" the airport was secure. "We have also launched an internal investigation to understand how this happened and are taking steps to prevent a similar occurrence in future," it said.
The Mirror reports that the USB stick was not encrypted and did not require a password, according to an article shared by Slashdot reader rastos1. Insiders "admitted it sparked a 'very, very urgent' probe, and that it posed 'a risk to national security'."

2 of 116 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Who plugs in USB drives found in the street? by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I do. It's my job.

    Then again, I plug it into systems that exist for that sole reason...

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  2. Only an idiot plugs in a found USB by Martin+S. · · Score: 3, Interesting

    My original submission included making the point that only an idiot plugs in a found USB but this has been removed in the edit and my scepticism has been lost.

    The reported fact that this was found on the street amongst fallen leaves is highly unlikely and suspicious. It does provide plausible deniability for the journalist over their source, but my money is this will be revealed to be a hoax.

    The newspaper that published this story, offers to pay for stories. My belief is that there is a very good chance this will be revealed to be entirely a hoax. A assembly of public source data to get a reward/story bounty from the newspaper.

    It is possible, but unlikely this could be a honey trap for the journalist, or anybody with the USB including attack code intended to compromise their PC/Network. This is how STUX worked.