Presidential helicopter plans found on Iranian computer
What’s the one thing worse than a US defense contractor mistakenly sharing details of a helicopter from the Presidential fleet on a filesharing network? When one of the people who grabs the files lives in Iran.
Yes, it appears training spies in advanced computer hacking techniques to breach military security is no longer necessary. Now you can log on, grab some blueprints, and help yourself to U2′s new album at the same time.
According to Pennsylvania-based security firm Tiversa, which monitors filesharing networks for potential data breaches, a user in Tehran has downloaded a file containing blueprints and electronic details for the helicopter. It’s now investigated and found that the file did not come from manufacturers Lockheed Martin, but rather a third-party contractor.
Tiversa has passed on the full details to the authorities. Though it’s not making the details available, the firm says it has identified the individual computer where the leak come from. It appears there’s no sinister explanation and instead the contractor employee simply installed a peer-to-peer program and made a mistake in deciding which files or folders to make available.
The exact security status of the blueprints is unclear. The Pentagon says the document was not classified, but the Navy says that, though dated, the details should not be in the public domain. It appears the exact model detailed in the documents is not used to fly the President himself but is part of the same fleet and carries White House staff and guests.
There are no details available about the Iranian user who accessed the files. It’s perfectly feasible it was simply a private citizen nosing about, though Tiversa says it’s noticed a pattern of users in countries with elements hostile to the US searching for security-related information on filesharing networks.
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