Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
The Whistleblower's Guide: How to Leak to the Press
http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/276-74/17959-the-whistleblowers-guide-how-to-leak-to-the-pressThe Whistleblower's Guide: How to Leak to the Press
By Nicholas Weaver, Wired Magazine
16 June 13
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article ran in Wired Opinion last month ("Hear Ye, Future Deep Throats: This Is How to Leak to the Press"
. It has been updated given recent events and reflects the author's new findings about government recording of mail.
Leaking by Email
Get a dedicated computer or tablet: the cheapest Windows laptop will do. And pay cash, as our normal laptops have a host of automatic synchronization and similar services. Our personal web browsers also contain all sorts of location-identifying cookies. Even if you’re logged in to but don't actually visit Facebook’s home page, a subpoena to Facebook can still reveal where you connect and what pages you visit - every "Like" button reports to Facebook that you are visiting that particular page, at a particular time, from a particular IP address.
Leave your cellphone, your normal computer, and your metro card (like SmarTrip) at home: anything that speaks over a wireless link must stay behind. Then go to a coffee shop that has open Wi-Fi, and once there open a new Gmail account that you will only use to contact the press and only from the dedicated computer. When registering, use no personal information that can identify you or your new account: no phone numbers, no names. Don't forget: if you get anything at the cafe, or take public transit, pay cash. Be prepared to walk a bit, too; you can't stay close to home for this.
Of course, the job still isn't finished. When you are done you must clear the browser's cookies and turn off the Wi-Fi before turning off the computer and removing the battery. The dedicated computer should never be used on the network except when checking your press-contact account and only from open Wi-Fi connections away from home and work.
By Nicholas Weaver, Wired Magazine
16 June 13
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article ran in Wired Opinion last month ("Hear Ye, Future Deep Throats: This Is How to Leak to the Press"
. It has been updated given recent events and reflects the author's new findings about government recording of mail.
Leaking by Email
Get a dedicated computer or tablet: the cheapest Windows laptop will do. And pay cash, as our normal laptops have a host of automatic synchronization and similar services. Our personal web browsers also contain all sorts of location-identifying cookies. Even if you’re logged in to but don't actually visit Facebook’s home page, a subpoena to Facebook can still reveal where you connect and what pages you visit - every "Like" button reports to Facebook that you are visiting that particular page, at a particular time, from a particular IP address.
Leave your cellphone, your normal computer, and your metro card (like SmarTrip) at home: anything that speaks over a wireless link must stay behind. Then go to a coffee shop that has open Wi-Fi, and once there open a new Gmail account that you will only use to contact the press and only from the dedicated computer. When registering, use no personal information that can identify you or your new account: no phone numbers, no names. Don't forget: if you get anything at the cafe, or take public transit, pay cash. Be prepared to walk a bit, too; you can't stay close to home for this.
Of course, the job still isn't finished. When you are done you must clear the browser's cookies and turn off the Wi-Fi before turning off the computer and removing the battery. The dedicated computer should never be used on the network except when checking your press-contact account and only from open Wi-Fi connections away from home and work.
...More at the site.
