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> Most "state-level" adversaries are just high school dropouts working border jobs told to "investigate suspicious things". The state-level threat isn't just a
by fhdkweig 3mo ago
> Most "state-level" adversaries are just high school dropouts working border jobs told to "investigate suspicious things".
The state-level threat isn't just about the direct employees' competence. They also have the funding to purchase tools made by people who really know what they are doing. Think of things like Pegasus spyware or Darksword iPhone hacking.
I can believe that a keystone cop wouldn't know the difference between a bong and a flower vase, but border crossing guards will know a USB drive when they see one and pass a copy of it to someone who knows what they are doing.
- johnnyApplePRNG 3mo agoPegasus spyware operations cost something like $500k a pop, last I checked.
- tptacek 3mo agoCan you check again and share where you're getting that number?
- fhdkweig 3mo agoThat's kinda the defining characteristic of a state-level threat. They have all the money they could ever need. The reason Pegasus can charge that much is because there are people able and willing to pay that much.
- NetMageSCW 3mo agoA copy of this USB drive would show nothing from the encrypted portion.