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tdubz



Registered: 02/26/12
Posts: 5,586
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'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World
#23799267 - 11/03/16 10:08 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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https://motherboard.vice.com/read/operation-hyperion-targets-suspected-dark-web-users-around-the-world
This piece has been updated with additional comment from the FBI.
Earlier this week, law enforcement agencies from across the world announced an operation targeting vendors and users of dark web marketplaces. Codenamed Operation Hyperion, the move is one of the most dramatic police coordinations around the dark web yet, with thousands of people allegedly being identified.
But how exactly these arrests or interviews were connected to one another, if they were at all, remains unclear, and a large part of the operation seems to be geared toward intimidating current and potential sellers and buyers, and dissuading others from participating in the online drug trade, rather than leading to a substantial number of actual arrests.
New Zealand authorities announced they had “identified and spoken to” more than 160 individuals; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement that it had arrested someone based in Quebec suspected of distributing narcotics internationally; and Swedish police even claimed to have identified some 3,000 suspected buyers in the country.
The FBI “made contact” with more than 150 people suspected of buying illegal items from various marketplaces, according to a press release.
"This was a coordinated week of action that was aimed at generating awareness that purchasing contraband on the Dark Web isn’t as anonymous or consequence free as some may think," FBI spokesperson Nora Scheland told Motherboard in an email.
Read more: 7 Ways the Cops Will Bust You on the Dark Web
A wealth of other US agencies also participated in the operation, including the US Postal Inspection Service, Customs and Border Protection, Internal Revenue Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to a press release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Other international partners include agencies in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, France, Spain, and Finland.
But Operation Hyperion isn’t so much a wide crackdown as it is a series of warning shots. The Dutch National Prosecution Service, for example, launched its own dark web site, which lists arrested vendors, and those who are still active.
“You have our attention,” reads the site, which also has a counter of buyers who have been apparently identified; but it is a simple looping animation, rather than anything being updated in real time.
And even those 3,000 suspected buyers identified in Sweden may not faces charges: Swedish Police said in their announcement that the agency does not yet know how many will be prosecuted.
What, if anything, connects all these suspects, such as specific marketplaces or investigative method is not totally clear. But New Zealand authorities said they targeted packages coming through mail centres, and then traced those packages back to vendors and buyers. A four-minute video from ICE showed Customs and Border Protection authorities scrutinising packages sent in the mail, suggesting the operation had a focus on intercepting shipments. (Many of the packages in the video aren’t related to drugs, but weapons and counterfeit products instead).
The mailing system is arguably the weakest point in the dark web drug trade. Whereas users’ communications on a market may be protected by encryption, and their location masked by the Tor anonymity network, buyers often have illegal packages delivered directly to their house, in their own name. And once a package has been deemed suspicious, investigators may look into where exactly it came from.
Law enforcement have previously announced international operations in a coordinated fashion. Operation Onymous involved agencies from the US, UK, and elsewhere, and relied on data gathered by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute, when they attacked the Tor network in 2014.
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my3rdeye



Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 4,354
Loc: Canada
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: tdubz] 2
#23799689 - 11/04/16 02:54 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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The only way they got the personal info of 3000 users is they posed as vendors and people gave it to them. I know stories like this cause hysteria but they didn't crack TOR, if they did this story would be 5 million child porn viewers were caught. They want you to think they cracked it, but they didn't. I don't know what the law is like in Sweden or NZ but most of the world an IP address isn't anything they can use, you need a court order to get the personal info. No one is going to go in front of judge 3000 times that to hand out 3000 warnings. I am telling you right now they posed as vendors, probably Swedish vendors with free samples. But the effect is what that they got what they wanted. People will be afraid and some will stop using it. They probably have whole sites that are honeypots.
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tdubz



Registered: 02/26/12
Posts: 5,586
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: my3rdeye]
#23799691 - 11/04/16 02:58 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Haha you need to read up some more dude on encryption. Law enforcement in America anyway is attempting to expand their hacking abilities by the end of the year which include all browser history, ISP information, emails ect...this is going unopposed so far in the legislative and approved by the Supreme Court. Getting busted on tor will be easier than ever through the expansion of rule 41.
Edited by tdubz (11/04/16 03:13 AM)
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h0ldthedoor
HODOR



Registered: 06/25/16
Posts: 510
Loc: North of The Wall
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: my3rdeye]
#23799807 - 11/04/16 06:19 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
my3rdeye said: The only way they got the personal info of 3000 users is they posed as vendors and people gave it to them. I know stories like this cause hysteria but they didn't crack TOR, if they did this story would be 5 million child porn viewers were caught. They want you to think they cracked it, but they didn't. I don't know what the law is like in Sweden or NZ but most of the world an IP address isn't anything they can use, you need a court order to get the personal info. No one is going to go in front of judge 3000 times that to hand out 3000 warnings. I am telling you right now they posed as vendors, probably Swedish vendors with free samples. But the effect is what that they got what they wanted. People will be afraid and some will stop using it. They probably have whole sites that are honeypots.
This. Social engineering is much, much, much cheaper and more effective than "cracking Tor".
Quote:
tdubz said: Haha you need to read up some more dude on encryption. Law enforcement in America anyway is attempting to expand their hacking abilities by the end of the year which include all browser history, ISP information, emails ect...this is going unopposed so far in the legislative and approved by the Supreme Court. Getting busted on tor will be easier than ever through the expansion of rule 41.
Laughs at the poster above, tells them to read up on encryption and does not provide any examples.
At this point, your posts come off more as a sorry attempt at engaging in a misinformation/FUD campaign, than ignorant posts from a shitposter. Genuinely not sure if this is funny or sad.
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Always keep your foes confused. If they are never certain who you are or what you want, they cannot know what you are like to do next. Sometimes the best way to baffle them is to make moves that have no purpose, or even seem to work against you. – Petyr Baelish
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tdubz



Registered: 02/26/12
Posts: 5,586
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: h0ldthedoor]
#23799996 - 11/04/16 08:15 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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rule 41 is not getting expanded? Cause if it isn't I would really like to see some legislation otherwise this close to the end of the yr. "end of congress"
Edited by tdubz (11/04/16 08:20 AM)
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h0ldthedoor
HODOR



Registered: 06/25/16
Posts: 510
Loc: North of The Wall
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: tdubz]
#23800027 - 11/04/16 08:27 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Let's pretend Rule 41 had already been expanded. How would that change the governments position on not disclosing exploits used to acquire evidence used to support the prosecution of a defendant?
At this point, the government has been reluctant to disclose exploits used to gain access to a suspects machine, in open court. As such, the court has made it clear that should the exploits not be disclosed, the evidenced obtained through use of the exploit will be suppressed.
What point are you even trying to make, exactly?
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Always keep your foes confused. If they are never certain who you are or what you want, they cannot know what you are like to do next. Sometimes the best way to baffle them is to make moves that have no purpose, or even seem to work against you. – Petyr Baelish
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tdubz



Registered: 02/26/12
Posts: 5,586
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: h0ldthedoor]
#23800031 - 11/04/16 08:28 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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we are fucked
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h0ldthedoor
HODOR



Registered: 06/25/16
Posts: 510
Loc: North of The Wall
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: tdubz]
#23800053 - 11/04/16 08:36 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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--------------------
Always keep your foes confused. If they are never certain who you are or what you want, they cannot know what you are like to do next. Sometimes the best way to baffle them is to make moves that have no purpose, or even seem to work against you. – Petyr Baelish
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tdubz



Registered: 02/26/12
Posts: 5,586
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: h0ldthedoor]
#23800068 - 11/04/16 08:43 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Actually, some congressional action would be nice as was promised, unfortunately with a dead heat election we got a standstill congress.
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h0ldthedoor
HODOR



Registered: 06/25/16
Posts: 510
Loc: North of The Wall
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: tdubz]
#23800089 - 11/04/16 08:51 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Sure, congressional action would be nice for a myriad of issues, including the issue discussed in the OP.
However, it bears repeating that even if Rule 41 is expanded,
Quote:
h0ldthedoor said: How would that change the governments position on not disclosing exploits used to acquire evidence used to support the prosecution of a defendant?
At this point, the government has been reluctant to disclose exploits used to gain access to a suspects machine, in open court. As such, the court has made it clear that should the exploits not be disclosed, the evidenced obtained through use of the exploit will be suppressed.
With key evidence suppressed, the prosecutions goal of proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt becomes significantly more difficult.
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Always keep your foes confused. If they are never certain who you are or what you want, they cannot know what you are like to do next. Sometimes the best way to baffle them is to make moves that have no purpose, or even seem to work against you. – Petyr Baelish
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tdubz



Registered: 02/26/12
Posts: 5,586
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: h0ldthedoor]
#23800095 - 11/04/16 08:53 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Still being done across the country the battle is not over yet...but it soon will be.
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h0ldthedoor
HODOR



Registered: 06/25/16
Posts: 510
Loc: North of The Wall
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: tdubz]
#23800112 - 11/04/16 09:00 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
tdubz said: Still being done across the country the battle is not over yet...but it soon will be.
What is still being done across the country, exactly?
Also, attempting to argue in facts while using cryptic language like "the battle is not over yet...but it soon will be." does nothing to lend credibility to your case.
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Always keep your foes confused. If they are never certain who you are or what you want, they cannot know what you are like to do next. Sometimes the best way to baffle them is to make moves that have no purpose, or even seem to work against you. – Petyr Baelish
Edited by h0ldthedoor (11/04/16 09:02 AM)
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thehighking
Shaman

Registered: 11/04/16
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Last seen: 6 years, 11 months
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: h0ldthedoor] 3
#23800162 - 11/04/16 09:32 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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This sounds like scare tactics. They're trying to scare people away from the darknet drug markets because it is so difficult and time consuming for them to investigate
-------------------- "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one" Albert Einstein
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Konyap

Registered: 06/30/07
Posts: 33,945
Loc: Planet Piss
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: thehighking] 1
#23800363 - 11/04/16 11:13 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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They were boasting about operation cross country x in which they took out 400 people in human trafficking across the web the other week but out of those four hundred only 14 were underage, so they pretty much lied about it.
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musiclover420
psychonaut



Registered: 11/06/12
Posts: 19,563
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 2 years, 5 months
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: thehighking]
#23800952 - 11/04/16 03:27 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
thehighking said: This sounds like scare tactics. They're trying to scare people away from the darknet drug markets because it is so difficult and time consuming for them to investigate
Exactly, all it says is the FBI "made contact" with 15 "alleged dark net market users"...
If they really had anything to back this up past scare tactics they would be screaming it from the rooftops.
Even if they do expand their hacking skills/ techniques what do you think will happen to the encryption? It will being improved as well...
If they crack TOR then use an extra layer or 2 of encryption. If they can get past 3 use 5 This will be a never ending game of cat and mouse most likely.
We will see how quantum computers change things though, once they FBI gets a hold one one it may be a gamechanger until the general public can catch up.
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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PatrickKn


Registered: 07/10/11
Posts: 20,564
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: musiclover420]
#23801646 - 11/04/16 07:37 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Cracking the encryption wont be the end of the dark market. Mail laws will.
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musiclover420
psychonaut



Registered: 11/06/12
Posts: 19,563
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 2 years, 5 months
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: PatrickKn]
#23801698 - 11/04/16 08:01 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
PatrickKn said: Cracking the encryption wont be the end of the dark market. Mail laws will.
Care to elaborate?
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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Amanita86
OTD Keymaster


Registered: 09/26/12
Posts: 89,464
Loc: hades
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: musiclover420]
#23802014 - 11/04/16 10:13 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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There's too many people to watch. It's a never ending cat and mouse game that kind of cycles around in a spiral.
I would think though, if the "government" as I have come to understand it has something on you they dont just fire away willy nilly..
Personally, I would send out a little fable, or a tale, see how people respond. And watch.
If the big buck walks out from the corn stalks, we'll shoot him, but other than that, we just stay silent, invisible, and watch.
They have done more amazing things than bust some "molly vendor", and that's just simple shit they're willing to talk about. Think, "poker face"... they arent going to call up printers and cameramen to spread worldwide what they're doing... that's the thing, with predators, they're on your ass before you can flinch, that's how they make a living. Lions and tigers, and snakes and eagles..dont walk around with a fuckin megaphone... it's in their best interest, that you never know they exist in the first place, and then cut your cord before you can make a noise that alerts your neighbor..
Doesnt that make sense?
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Orange clock, pencil "They threw me off the hay truck about noon..."
*Mark 15:34  Gam zeh ya’avor...
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Amanita86
OTD Keymaster


Registered: 09/26/12
Posts: 89,464
Loc: hades
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: Amanita86]
#23802030 - 11/04/16 10:19 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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90% of your pictures in relation to hunting, are when the hunter props up its already dead kill. Other than that its just suiting up, getting a cup of coffee and slipping out into the field and posting up before your target wakes up.
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Orange clock, pencil "They threw me off the hay truck about noon..."
*Mark 15:34  Gam zeh ya’avor...
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tdubz



Registered: 02/26/12
Posts: 5,586
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Re: 'Operation Hyperion' Targets Suspected Dark Web Users Around the World [Re: h0ldthedoor]
#23802539 - 11/05/16 06:04 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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The courts have not made it clear that using exploits leads to suppression of evidence...that is incorrect. Some courts have sided with the defendant others have not. The Supreme Court has not taken up the case yet. And probably never will get the chance due to national security.
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