Many foreign governments,
including friendly countries allied with the United States, have large
communications intercept programs focused against the United States for
collection of competitive economic and industrial intelligence in addition
to traditional military and political targets. Their targets include
research and development and production technology for new products,
marketing plans, customer lists, financial data, and contract negotiations.
The foreign governments collecting this information typically pass it to
companies in their country to foster national economic development. U.S.
intelligence agencies, however, are prohibited by law from sharing acquired
foreign economic and industrial information with domestic U.S. companies.
This can and often does put American companies at a distinct disadvantage.
Are you or your organization a
potential target? If eavesdropping on anything you say or write could
increase someone else's wealth, influence, or power, then the answer must
be, yes, you are a potential target. Many of the technological advances
designed for our convenience can easily be used against you. Mobile
telephones, for example, are especially vulnerable, but all forms of
communication can be exploited in various ways.
The topic on
Standard Telephones discusses
the plain old standard phone and the vulnerability of your calls being
monitored. It also notes other ways the telephone can be used against you,
including some ways you might not be aware of. For example, did you know
that your telephone can easily be tweaked to turn it into a microphone for
recording conversations in your office or hotel room?
Mobile Phones have the same types of vulnerabilities as regular phones,
but they are sufficiently different to warrant separate treatment.
The
Cordless Phone signal usually
extends beyond the walls of one's home or office, so it can sometimes be
received by nosy neighbors or by hobbyists driving through the neighborhood
with scanners looking for such transmissions. Once such a signal is
identified, it can be used by others to make calls that appear on your phone
bill. The topic on Voice Mail discusses
the risk that your message can be stolen if you fail to use a proper
password.
Fax Machines share all the
vulnerabilities associated with standard telephones but also run several
minor risks uniquely associated with the fax. The
Other Common Wireless Devices topic
describes the significant risk associated with wireless microphones at
conferences or other meetings, and lesser risks associated with home
intercom systems and wireless video cameras.
Related Topics:
Who's Doing What to Whom?,
Overseas Communications.
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