Federal Agents seize travel bloggers computer
Jan 2, 2010, 1:23 pm
#256
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I would accept the offer of a new laptop getting at least if not better than what you had. See how they respond to padding the nest. If they say nothing I think they want you to just fade into the background.
Don't think I would price shop either.
If this agent threatened you in any way do you intend to pursue or at least investigate taking action of any kind?
Jan 2, 2010, 2:07 pm
#257
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It sounds the the TSA SA called in some favors from his former employer to do the work. I would have thought he'd need to turn it over to a TSA forensic personnel. Then again I don't know what kind of agreements the individual agencies of DHS have with each other on matters like this.
Jan 2, 2010, 2:41 pm
#258
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It sounds the the TSA SA called in some favors from his former employer to do the work. I would have thought he'd need to turn it over to a TSA forensic personnel. Then again I don't know what kind of agreements the individual agencies of DHS have with each other on matters like this.
DHS routinely uses the USSS for these kinds of things.
Last edited by GUWonder; Jan 2, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Jan 2, 2010, 4:39 pm
#260
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Jan 2, 2010, 5:25 pm
#261
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Talk to an attorney about doing a FOIA or other request to find out the disposition of any images/electronic copies they made of your HD while in their posession. Since the case is closed on their end, I'd demand their certification that any and all copies have been destroyed prior to any settlement on your end.
Jan 2, 2010, 6:17 pm
#263
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Then it's possible whoever worked on your machine knew what s/he was doing. But they'd have to drive it from your hose to the Boston location, take it apart, do their forensic image, THEN place some spyware on it (that your anti-virus/other systems would not detect) then get it back to you. I don't know the timeline, so hard to tell if they had time to do this. If they were THAT good, they'd also have returned your machine in working condition.
But then again, if they really wanted to bug your PC, they'd do it in such a way that you'd never know, and not be completely suspicious of them. So I doubt they bugged it. I just can't give them credit for being that good.
But then again, if they really wanted to bug your PC, they'd do it in such a way that you'd never know, and not be completely suspicious of them. So I doubt they bugged it. I just can't give them credit for being that good.
If the other topic is the case, they will attempt to get the email headers from the email host(bluehost it looks to be)
What they do exactly is, take the drive out and make a clone of it to analyze it later, that is it, and all they'd do in that amount of time, nothing more. And it sounds like whomever did it, did not know how to properly remove it from the laptop casing itself, and did a bit for bit clone with a tool that may have indeed corrupted the original which would also invalidate the 'authenticity' of the clone in case of being brought for evidence. Of course they aren't looking for evidence, just a vendetta against the sender.
Jan 2, 2010, 6:48 pm
#264
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If it's me, don't even bother to ask to search unless in possession of a valid warrant....house, car, person, whatever.
I don't claim to have learned everything in this life, but a few I have:
1. Never eat at a restaurant named "Mom's."
2. Never play cards with a man named Doc.
3. A Smith & Wesson always beats four aces.
4. Never cosign on a note with anyone you don't sleep with.
5. Never, ever voluntarily surrender your constitutional rights.
I don't claim to have learned everything in this life, but a few I have:
1. Never eat at a restaurant named "Mom's."
2. Never play cards with a man named Doc.
3. A Smith & Wesson always beats four aces.
4. Never cosign on a note with anyone you don't sleep with.
5. Never, ever voluntarily surrender your constitutional rights.
Bruce
Jan 2, 2010, 8:44 pm
#266
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Potentially. But highly doubtful. These thugs ("special agents") are apparently retired Secret Service, drawing their full retirement from the USSS, and are double dipping as TSA inspectors making a good pay. Jerks? Probably. Stupid enough to sacrifice their pensions on a patehtetic CYA witch hunt they were ordered on by some immature mope at headquarters? Doubtful.
Jan 2, 2010, 8:45 pm
#267
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Then it makes no sense they damaged it unless it's simple mechanical damage--dropped or the like. Maybe they put it on a car seat and made a hard stop.